Posted by madcityradio.com on December 09, 2008 at 13:36:50:
Investigation Finds "Abuses Of Power" At FCC
December 9, 2008 FMQB
After almost a year-long investigation, the U.S. House Commerce Committee has released its report on the FCC and Chairman Kevin Martin, noting "egregious abuses of power" by the Commission. However, the report does not make clear whether Martin and FCC actually broke any laws in recent years.
The report, titled "Deception and Distrust: The Federal Communications Commission Under Chairman Kevin J. Martin," found several examples where Martin "manipulated, withheld or suppressed data, reports and information," especially where regulation of the cable industry was involved.
"Any of these findings, individually, are cause for concern. Together, the findings suggest that, in recent years, the FCC has operated in a dysfunctional manner and Commission business has suffered as a result. It is my hope that the new FCC Chairman will find this report instructive and that it will prove useful in helping the Commission avoid making the same mistakes," stated Rep. John Dingell (D-MI).
"Our investigation confirmed a number of troubling allegations raised by individuals in and outside the FCC," added Bart Stupak (D-MI). "It is my hope that this report will serve as a road map for a fair, open, and efficient FCC under new leadership in the next administration."
The report also takes aim at Martin's management style, which it says has created a culture of fear around the FCC. It says, "Chairman Martin's heavy-handed, opaque, and non-collegial management style has created distrust, suspicion, and turmoil among the five current commissioners,"
FCC spokesman Robert Kenny said that the Commission's review of the report found that it "did not violate any rules, laws or procedures," according to The Washington Post. "Chairman Martin has followed the same procedures that have been followed for the past 20 years by FCC Chairmen, both Democratic and Republican alike."