FCC accused of unfairly aiding some firms: Some got inside info on crucial votes, investigations

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: Los Angeles Times

By Jim Puzzanghera, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
October 3, 2007

WASHINGTON -- From giant phone companies to small consumer advocates, the Federal Communications Commission is supposed to treat every group equally. But congressional investigators have found some companies and trade groups have received special treatment.

FCC officials tipped them off to confidential information about when regulators planned to vote on important issues -- a clear violation of agency rules that provided an unfair lobbying advantage, according to a report by the Government Accountability Office released today. Other interested parties -- generally consumer and public-interest groups -- did not get such favorable treatment, the report said.

"It is critical that FCC maintain an environment in which all stakeholders have an equal opportunity to participate in the rulemaking process and that the process is perceived as fair and transparent," the report said. "Situations where some, but not all, stakeholders know what FCC is considering for an upcoming vote undermine the fairness and transparency of the process and constitute a violation of FCC's rules."

With oversight of many aspects of telephone, TV, radio and Internet services, the FCC has a major effect on people's lives. Its decisions also can affect entire sectors of the telecommunications industry. Privileged information, leaked in violation of FCC rules, could give some companies and organizations advantages when trying to sway the commission, the GAO said....

***

The period covered the chairmanships of Michael Powell and current head Kevin J. Martin....

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-fcc3oct03,0,5979688.story?coll=la-home-business

[ThomCat]

1. Unfortunately, this is no suprise.

Every agency and department has been turned into a corporate resource. The government isn't ours anymore.

The idea that government belongs to the people is pretty revolutionary. I wish we had a chance to develop that idea in this country.

[truthisfreedom]

2. Who is this GAO? Do they actually work for us or something?

I keep hearing their name in articles that lift my spirits, but nothing ever happens.

[otohara]

4. As Ususal, This Bunch Doesn't Care What GAOThinks

frankly I'm shocked that the GAO isn't infiltrated with Bush loyalists as have other agencies who I thought were supposed to be the good guys. ie: OSHA, EPA. The GAO seems to keep exposing things, but it never goes anywhere.

This nightmare known as Cheney/Bush administration can't be over soon enough. Sadly it will take years to undo the damage and rid all agencies of Bush loyalists.

[Mojorabbit]

8. My pop

worked for the GAO and these people are the backbone of the govt no matter what party is in power.

[Doctor_J]

9. It seems like this is the one little sliver of the Fed that Rove hasn't been able to corrupt

maybe it's one thing we can build on when the neocons have gone the way of the Nazis.

[JMDEM]

3. Juheeesuuussss!!!!

When will this crap end?

[Dollface]

5. Let me guess.... Bush appointees?

[McCamy Taylor]

6. Finally! Congressional oversight of the FCC!

[calimary]

12. Yeah. Sure. We'll see.

Leahy's folding. Waxman's folding. Conyers is folding. Pelosi folded a year ago. Oh they'll do their investigations alright. They'll call hearings and ask a bunch of questions. Even issue subpoenas! Wow! Go get 'em! And then - there'll be - crickets chirping.

NOTHING.

Just folding, folding, and more folding. If I could afford it, they'd all get origami kits in the mail from me.

Oh, we can't stir things up too much.

Might make some people mad at us.

Gotta find a way to do what the MINORITY demands!!!

Damn. WHY do I even bother? All this Congress seems to be about is finding new and different and more creative ways of caving to bush.

[Doctor_J]

7. When we get our own blue nation, these people will get long prison

sentences, while recreational pot users will be left alone.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3015286&mesg_id=3015286

[Trillo]

10. Let me guess.

The FCC favored the very same group referred to here on DU as Corporate Media, the big apparantly-private corporatist behind BushCo.

[mod mom]

11. NPR covered this story this am as well. When are we going to see some charges

brought? So much as come out (think US Attorney Scandal, DoJ politicalization, Hatch Act) and yet no charges.

[hang a left]

13. There potentially could be illegal activity as a result: Insider trading

I am sure this goes on every single day. Sickening.