Standard/Tegna Reply Deadline Extended to Aug. 1

The FCC Media Bureau extended to Aug. 1 the deadline for reply filings in the Standard/Tegna merger proceeding over the companies’ objections (see 2207120054), said an order in Wednesday’s Daily Digest. Replies were due July 18. The extension was requested by the NewsGuild and National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians sectors of the Communications Workers of America and other transaction opponents due to the short time frame for replies, the complex proceeding, and a medical issue involving the unions’ attorney. The broadcasters said none of those reasons merited an extension, and the opposition parties had already been granted an extension in the proceeding (see 2205130072). “Applicants’ interest in expediting this proceeding does not outweigh the public interest considerations supporting a two-week extension,” said the Media Bureau. “The public interest is served by having as complete a record as possible before final consideration of the applications.” The extension applies to all entities that have petitions and comments on file, and parties are allowed to raise new issues in the reply cycle, the order said.