WASHINGTON -- New Jersey's two U.S. senators charged Secaucus-based Channel 9 with failing to live up to its federal mandate to cover its hometown state, and wants the Federal Communications Commission to do something about it.
U.S. Sens. Robert Menendez and Cory Booker, D-N.J., urged FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to ensure that the TV station fulfill its legal obligations to "devote itself to meeting the special needs of its ... community (and the needs of the Northern New Jersey area in general)."
"The FCC's refusal to hold WWOR-TV accountable is unacceptable," the lawmakers wrote. "We feel strongly that WWOR-TV's refusal to abide by its legal obligations should factor heavily in your review of its license renewal application."
Criticism over loss of NJ newscast
Neither the FCC nor WWOR-TV responded to requests for comment.
Menendez has been a long-time critic of WWOR-TV Channel 9, which Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. bought in 2001. Both Channel 9 and New York City's WNYW-TV Channel 5 are now owned by Murdoch's 21st Century Fox.
In 2013, Menendez sought a "prompt and thorough review" of Channel 9's broadcast license following the cancellation of its evening news program.
Menendez picked up the cudgel from the late U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., who held the seat that now belongs to Booker.
Channel 9 is the only major commercial television station in the Garden State.
It moved to Secaucus from New York in 1983 as a condition of its then-owner, RKO, retaining the station's license.
"The WWOR-TV license makes clear - and the FCC has confirmed on multiple occasions - that WWOR has special obligations to serve North Jersey," the senators wrote. "Yet despite these requirements, concerns about WWOR-TV's failure to live up to its broadcasting obligations in New Jersey have endured for over a decade."
Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.