Say It Ain't So
Published by Human Head on Wednesday, October 03, 2007 at 3:05 PM.Report Says the FCC Favors Lobbyists Over the Public
The FCC keeps lobbyists better informed about pending business than it does the public, according to a report by the Government Accountability Office.
"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," the GAO said in a statement.
The report says that some people at the commission warn lobbyists when a particular issue is about to come up for a vote. Typically, the commission chairman circulates an item for vote three weeks before a meeting. Under the rules of the FCC, meeting agendas are published one week before a vote is scheduled. Once the agenda is published lobbying is banned. The report says that the two-week window allows lobbyist plenty of time to "maximize their impact."
