More on the FCC

"FCC Chief Still Standing, if on Shifting Ground"
By Frank Ahrens and Jeffrey H. Birnbaum, The Washington Post, November 29, 2007.

FCC Localism Hearings in Monterey
Source: KRBS Photo Gallery

Excerpts:

The turning point came when Republican commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate, Martin's most reliable ally on the commission, bucked the chairman, saying at the meeting that his proposal "focuses heavily on the findings of one source, rather than the numerous sources our reports have included in the past." Tate, who declined to be interviewed for this article, privately expressed outrage that she and other commissioners had to ask Martin for additional data on cable subscribers, according to a source close to her. Republican commissioner Robert McDowell also opposed Martin.....

As a result of the rebellion, Martin backed down on the study, the commission passed a weaker set of cable regulations and the industry ended up with a big win, possibly sapping Martin of some clout. Now, before he can try to push through his next big initiative -- a relaxation of a key rule that caps local media concentration -- Martin faces a House committee next week and then a Senate committee prepared to ask tough questions about how he runs his agency......

Bruises are nothing new to Martin or FCC chairmen. He was blistered by Republicans over his handling of a wireless spectrum proposal last summer and during a battle over local phone deregulation several years ago. He has endured public scoldings by fellow commissioners Adelstein and Michael J. Copps, a Democrat. Likewise, firestorms over indecency fines and media ownership dogged previous FCC chair Michael K. Powell, as a controversy over unlicensed radio stations did William E. Kennard before him.

Comment: The FCC is much more important to American democracy than most citizens realize. Three Commissioners come from the president's party and two from the opposition. During the Bush administration, the FCC has been involved in many controversies -- media consolidation, net neutrality, cable deregulation, etc. The overall performance of the FCC reflects on the party in power. This may be why Republicans as well as Democrats in the Congress are focusing on the current controversies. JAD