[ text version ]


fcclogo PUBLIC NOTICE

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
1919 M STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554


News media information 202 / 418-0500


REPORT NO. GN 97-7 APRIL 25, 1997


COMMISSION ANNOUNCES APRIL 30 OPEN FORUM ON PROPOSAL FOR ELECTRONIC FILING OF COMMENTS IN FCC RULEMAKING PROCEEDINGS (GC DOCKET NO. 97-113)


On Wednesday April 30, 1997, at 10:00 a.m., the Commission will hold an Open Forum to discuss issues related to its pending Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to allow electronic comments to be filed in FCC rulemaking proceedings using the World Wide Web and electronic mail. The Forum will also feature a demonstration of a prototype electronic filing system called Quickstart.

The Commission has proposed electronic filing to make it easier for the public to file comments and to access comments filed by others. The April 30 Forum will be an opportunity to gain public input about procedural issues, formats, and the online filing system and interfaces to be used. Interested parties may also file comments in this proceeding via the Quickstart system, which can be reached at URL <http://www.fcc.gov/comments/commurls.html>.

The audio portion of the Open Forum on Electronic Filing will be broadcast live on the Internet via the FCC's Internet audio broadcast page at <http://www.fcc.gov/realaudio/>. The meeting can also be heard via telephone, for a fee, from National Narrowcast Network, telephone (202) 966-2211 or fax (202) 966-1770. Audio and video tapes of this meeting can be obtained from the Office of Public Affairs, Television Staff, telephone (202) 418-0460, or TTY (202) 418-1398; fax numbers (202) 418-2809 or (202) 418-7286.

A copy of the NPRM on Electronic Comment Filing adopted on April 3 and released on April 7 may be viewed at URL<http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/OGC/Notices/1997/fcc97113.txt>. A copy may also be purchased from the FCC's duplicating contractor, International Transcription Services, Inc. (ITS, Inc.) at (202) 857-3800 or fax (202) 857-3805 and 857-3184. These copies are available in paper format and alternative media which includes, large print/type; digital disk; and audio tape. ITS may be reached by e-mail: its_inc@ix.netcom.com. Their Internet address is <http://www.itsi.com>.

For more information about the Open Forum contact Sheryl Segal at (202) 418-0260, or at ssegal@fcc.gov.

******************************************************
WHAT: Open Forum to discuss FCC's proposed electronic filing of rulemaking comments
WHEN: April 30, 1997 at 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: FCC Commission Meeting Room, room 856, 1919 M Street, NW
*******************************************************

- FCC -