FCC rejects complaint about Schwarzenegger on 'Tonight Show'

[Kadie]

FCC rejects complaint about Schwarzenegger on 'Tonight Show'
By MICHAEL R. BLOOD, AP Political Writer

Thursday, October 26, 2006

(10-26) 17:55 PDT Los Angeles (AP) --

Federal regulators dismissed a complaint Thursday that accused "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" of playing favorites in the race for California governor.

The Federal Communications Commission complaint, filed on behalf of Democratic challenger Phil Angelides, argued that the NBC show violated the equal time provision in federal law when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared as a guest on Oct. 10, less than a month before the election.

Angelides also asked to appear but was not scheduled.

Federal rules require broadcast stations to give equal time to candidates who appear on the air. The rules do not apply to news programs, interview shows and documentaries in which the candidate is not the sole focus.

The agency concluded that Schwarzenegger's appearance was exempt.

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