Primer on filing informal objections

Posted by Mitchell - June 16, 2012 (entry 686)

Procedure for Filing Informal Objections. A person or entity opposing the grant of a station's license renewal application may file an informal objection against the license renewal application at any time prior to staff action on the license renewal application. An informal objection is less formal than a Petition to Deny, but some requirements still apply. It may take the form of a letter signed by the objector and mailed or delivered to one of the FCC addresses above. An informal objection need not contain the affidavit required for a Petition to Deny. It should, however, contain sufficient information to establish any violation alleged. Additionally, an informal objection not received by the time the station's license renewal is granted will not be considered.

When filing Petitions to Deny, informal objections, or positive comments, please include an original and two copies of any filing. As indicated above, an additional copy of any filing may need to be served on (mailed to) the station licensee via a separate mailing. Send the documents to the locations listed herein:

FCC Headquarters at 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554

Additional Suggestions for Filers. To help the staff expeditiously associate a Petition to Deny, informal objection, or positive comment with the proper license renewal application, the pleading should prominently identify:

* The station's call sign;
* The station's facility ID number;
* The license renewal application file number.

This information, which is available on CDBS (Consolidated Database System) through the Commission's website, should be listed on the first page of the submission. The filing must also state whether it is a Petition to Deny, Informal Objection, or a comment. If a cover sheet is used, it should be attached to each copy of the pleading. Failure to include this information may cause delays in associating a pleading with a license renewal application.

FCC Page on Informal Objections:
http://tinyurl.com/informalobjection


Sample Informal Objection:
http://tinyurl.com/sampleinformalobjection

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