Justia Federal District Court Opinions

Following hearings and other proceedings the Federal Communications Commission by order revoked the standard broadcast station license of KWK Radio, Inc., the appellant, operator of station KWK, St. Louis, Missouri. The Commission based its order on its findings that KWK, under the direction of its general manager, who was also one of its Vice Presidents, had conducted two treasure hunts in a manner which constituted deliberate fraud upon the public, thus bringing the operation of the station within the scope of Section 312(a)(2) and (3) of the Communications Act.¹ The Commission rejected appellant's contention that the order was invalid because the provisions of Section 9(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act² regarding notice as a condition to revocation had not been complied with, pointing out that the section is inapplicable to 'cases of willfulness', as was appellant's conduct. The Commission also rejected the contention of appellant that, assuming the misconduct to be as found, revocation was too severe a remedy. The Commission gave careful consideration to this contention, reviewing the over-all conduct of appellant in operating the station and finding therein insufficient reason for action less severe than revocation.

We too have carefully considered the record. We conclude that the ruling as to notice was correct, and that the record clearly supports the findings and conclusions of the Commission. While revocation is indeed severe we do not feel justified, in view of the record, in substituting a different judgment from that reached by the agency having primary responsibility for protection of the public in these matters. See Federal Communications Comm'n. v. WOKO, Inc., 329 U.S. 223, 67 S.Ct. 213, 91 L.Ed. 204 (1946).

Affirmed.