Martin dodges questions in first speech as FCC chairman

[villager]

Martin dodges questions in first speech as FCC chairman

By Brooks Boliek

SAN FRANCISCO -- It might not be a kinder and gentler FCC under chairman Kevin Martin, but it's likely to be a more deliberate one if his first public address as head of the commission is any indication.

Speaking Tuesday at the National Cable & Telecommunications Assn. convention here, Martin was more notable for what he didn't say. The new chairman, on the job for only two weeks, avoiding roiling the waters with any of the quips and shoot-from-the-hip banter that marked his predecessor, Michael Powell. Unlike Powell, Martin seemed more concerned with avoiding any political landmines than altering the regulatory landscape.

"We prefer markets and competition to regulation wherever possible," Martin said during his appearance, a Q&A with Fox News Channel's Stuart Varney. "You've got to have competition first and then deregulation."

Even when prodded by reporters on the indecency issue, Martin artfully dodged the question.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000866690

[villager]

1. AM kick

n/t

[AnnInLa]

2. If you haven't already emailed or phoned

your cable or satellite TV company, do so today....tell them that if they allow the FCC to regulate cable/satellite for "offensive content," you will be cancelling. Cable and satellite are products which we purchase and vote for with our dollars. If others are offended by the content, they don't have to purchase. If they purchase, they don't have to watch the particular channels which offend them. We are adults, for Christ's sake.

[villager]

3. it will pit the Repubbies against some corporate pals...

AOL Time Warner won't be happy if HBO becomes insipid, and therefore utterly worthless as a programming option to pay for...

Nor will Sumner Redstone be happy if the same thing happens to Showtime...

[unhappycamper]

4. emailed directv - thanks for the heads up