NEWS
	Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554	News media information 202 / 418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 202/418-2555
	This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
	January 28, 2000
	PRESS STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER MICHAEL K. POWELL REGARDING THE ORDER ON RECONSIDERATION IN WQED PITTSBURGH
	I support the Order on Reconsideration adopted by the Commission today on its own motion vacating the "additional guidance" proffered by the majority in the WQED Pittsburgh case regarding what constitutes educational programming. As I predicted in my dissenting statement opposing this "additional guidance" in the original Order, it has opened a Pandora's Box of problems. In today's decision we put the lid back on the box. I continue to believe that when treading this close to content regulation, the traditional deference the Commission has given to broadcasters in these matters is the most appropriate regulatory course. ###