Next FCC Must Grasp Change — and Truly Understand History

NEXT FCC MUST GRASP CHANGE -- AND TRULY UNDERSTAND HISTORY
[SOURCE: Common Dreams, AUTHOR: Ryan Blethen, Seattle Times]
[Commentary] The press is missing a chance to examine where the remaining presidential candidates stand on media policy, especially issues before the Federal Communications Commission. So far, the press corps has whiffed on a media-policy softball served up by The New York Times last week. The article gave readers a glimpse of how the FCC might look and work in a John McCain presidency. What emerges from the piece is disturbing. Sen McCain (R-AZ) used his considerable power as chairman of the Commerce Committee to force the FCC into approving the sale of a Pittsburgh television station to a major contributor in his 2000 presidential campaign. Lobbyists and donors snuggling up to politicians is not new, rare or shocking. Sen McCain has further to fall, though. He has branded himself as a fighter against the influence of special interests in politics. Sen McCain’s close relations with the corporations that had business before the regulatory agency he oversaw is troublesome. It raises questions as to who will head the agency in a Sen McCain administration, and what will be tolerated. The next president has a chance to reshape the FCC. For too long the agency has chipped away - or gutted - rules essential to democracy. The FCC is a partisan body pegged to the White House. Three seats for the party that holds the presidency, two for second place. Many of the issues dealt with by the commission are nonpartisan, or should be. This is an important election for the FCC. The public deserves a commission filled with people who can grasp the rapidly-changing media, yet understand the historical and structural importance of the press and media to our democratic system. It is time the press divert its attention from speculation over an affair and focus on the candidates’ vision for one of America’s most important regulatory agencies.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/02/29/7372/

* McCain's FCC Dealings Draw Renewed Scrutiny
FCC lawyers said Sen McCain had broken rules in intervening.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=87783425&ft=1&f=3