FCC ALJ Denies Standard/Tegna Motion for Commission Vote

The FCC’s administrative law judge denied the Standard/Tegna broadcasters’ motion to certify the Standard/Tegna deal to the full commission, said an order Thursday. The broadcasters raised only one “unsettled question of law” that could be certified, on the constitutionality of ALJs, the order said. “This complex constitutional issue is the subject of a pending petition for certiorari before the United States Supreme Court and accordingly will not be analyzed here,” wrote ALJ Jane Halprin. The certification process is “an exceedingly rare avenue of redress” and the broadcasters faced “a substantial burden in showing that an entire case should be certified without hearing.” With the motion denied, the hearing proceeding is expected to continue, though the broadcasters could look for assistance from the courts, attorneys told us. The deal’s final extension date is May 22. Standard General didn't immediately comment.