FCC Boss May Be In Hot Water – Leaked memo suggests looming hearing for Martin

In: broadbandreports.com|Site Feeds|VoIP

30 Apr 2008

Congress recently started investigating FCC boss Kevin Martin, sending him a letter (pdf) last month demanding a wide variety of documentation from the agency. Martin’s tendency to rush meetings, leak information, pick on the cable industry and his support for the elimination of media consolidation laws have put the FCC boss under fire from all fronts, and both parties, for various reasons. The Washington Post has obtained a memo saying Martin will soon be forced to defend himself before a hearing, which suggests the inquiry may have dug up dirt:

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.

Of course this could also just be a lot of smoke and little fire. Martin’s in a tough popularity spot, having annoyed Democrats, Republicans, FCC employees, consumer advocates and companies like Comcast — all for various reasons. About the only group he hasn’t fully annoyed are the lobbyists at AT&T and Verizon, who’ve seen good fortune under his watch.
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