FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin is accused of ‘possible abuse of power.’ A hearing is set for today

[babylonsister]

FCC Chairman Target of House Panel’s Investigation
Chairman Kevin J. Martin is accused of ‘possible abuse of power.’ A hearing is set for Wednesday.
by Jim Puzzanghera


WASHINGTON — Two key House lawmakers announced Monday that they were investigating the Federal Communications Commission, accusing its chairman of “possible abuse of power” and a failure to operate fairly and openly in handling proposed cable TV and media ownership regulations.

“Given several events and proceedings over the past year, I am rapidly losing confidence that the commission has been conducting its affairs in an appropriate manner,” Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Mich.), chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, wrote to FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin.

Dingell said he was concerned that the FCC had not made the full text of proposed rules available to the public before it voted on them, and that Martin often had not given other commissioners details of proposals until it was too late for them to fully analyze them.

Martin, a Republican, has faced criticism from lawmakers and fellow commissioners recently for how he has approached the contentious issues of re-regulating the cable TV industry and easing rules on the ownership of newspaper and TV stations in the same city.

Dingell has summoned Martin and the four other FCC commissioners to an oversight hearing Wednesday, and a Senate committee will hear testimony from them next week.

“I have received several complaints from the public and professionals within the communications industry about how Chairman Martin is conducting business at the FCC,” said Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), who heads the Energy and Commerce subcommittee that will conduct the investigation. “It is one thing to be an aggressive leader, but many of the allegations indicate possible abuse of power and an attempt to intentionally keep fellow commissioners in the dark.”

more...

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/12/04/5612/

[ray of light]

1. Is there any non-corrupt Republicans left out there?!!!

[in_cog_ni_to]

2. NO.

:(

[lpbk2713]

3. A BushCo appointee abusing his power!? Unheard of!!

I'm in shock & awe. Smirky will say he's doing a heckuva job.

:sarcasm:

[ray of light]

4. They're doing the right thing. We should call-write-fax and say Thanks!