The FCC's Regulation-Wary Regulator

Another Q&A with Federal Communications Commission Commissioner Robert McDowell. He's resisting FCC Chairman Kevin Martin's push to adopt new rules to promote localism in broadcasting. He dissented on the FCC’s enhanced disclosure rules requiring stations to file quarterly reports on their local programming efforts. What’s more, he has sharply questioned proposals to require stations to set up community advisory boards and meet minimum local programming quotas. Two weeks ago, in a speech at the Quello Communications Law and Policy Symposium in Washington, Commissioner McDowell reiterated in his strongest language yet his opposition to Martin’s localism initiatives and his skepticism about regulation in general. “Simply put, government cannot outsmart an unfettered and competitive market,” he said. In this interview, McDowell elaborates on his problems with the localism push, expresses sympathy for those who would like to see less broadcast ownership regulation at a national and local level and touches on other issues of importance to broadcasters.
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2008/05/06/daily.6/