Post by elchupacabras970 on Apr 30, 2008 11:22:37 GMT -5
Kevin Martin has been one of the most controversial FCC chairpersons in recent history. With his stances on ownership rules and expected approval of the Sirius/XM merger, some in Congress are up in arms, according to this report from All Access:
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Chairman KEVIN J. MARTIN might be called to defend himself in a hearing on his leadership after a congressional investigation turned up complaints about the way he runs the agency, according to a memo obtained yesterday by THE WASHINGTON POST.
MARTIN has been criticized by FCC staff members for pushing his proposals to loosen media ownership rules and requirements for a la carte pricing of cable television through such tactics as suppressing agency studies that do not support his agenda.
"The bottom line is that the FCC process appears broken and most of the blame appears to rest with Chairman MARTIN," Commerce and Energy Committee staff members wrote in the APRIL 28th memo to Rep. JOHN D. DINGELL (D-MI), chairman of the committee, and Rep. BART STUPAK (D-MI), chairman of the subcommittee on oversight and investigations.
A committee spokesman declined to elaborate on the findings, saying only, "No hearings have been scheduled." An FCC spokesman also declined to comment on the memo.
The memo to DINGELL and STUPAK said the investigation is ongoing and proposed holding hearings on the findings in JUNE. According to the memo, more than 30 current and former FCC employees were interviewed, along with telecommunications industry representatives and private citizens. The memo was the first indication that the investigation, launched in DECEMBER, has turned up material to support complaints against Martin.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Chairman KEVIN J. MARTIN might be called to defend himself in a hearing on his leadership after a congressional investigation turned up complaints about the way he runs the agency, according to a memo obtained yesterday by THE WASHINGTON POST.
MARTIN has been criticized by FCC staff members for pushing his proposals to loosen media ownership rules and requirements for a la carte pricing of cable television through such tactics as suppressing agency studies that do not support his agenda.
"The bottom line is that the FCC process appears broken and most of the blame appears to rest with Chairman MARTIN," Commerce and Energy Committee staff members wrote in the APRIL 28th memo to Rep. JOHN D. DINGELL (D-MI), chairman of the committee, and Rep. BART STUPAK (D-MI), chairman of the subcommittee on oversight and investigations.
A committee spokesman declined to elaborate on the findings, saying only, "No hearings have been scheduled." An FCC spokesman also declined to comment on the memo.
The memo to DINGELL and STUPAK said the investigation is ongoing and proposed holding hearings on the findings in JUNE. According to the memo, more than 30 current and former FCC employees were interviewed, along with telecommunications industry representatives and private citizens. The memo was the first indication that the investigation, launched in DECEMBER, has turned up material to support complaints against Martin.