[IP] MICHAEL K. POWELL'S GOLDEN REVOLVING DOOR
Begin forwarded message:
From: Dewayne Hendricks <dewayne@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: August 12, 2005 8:38:45 AM EDT
To: Dewayne-Net Technology List <dewayne-net@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [Dewayne-Net] MICHAEL K. POWELL'S GOLDEN REVOLVING DOOR
Reply-To: dewayne@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[Note: I posted an item about Powell's new job yesterday. Now
here's some reaction. I have to say that I'm in agreement with the
commentary from the Center for Digital Democracy. DLH]
MICHAEL K. POWELL'S GOLDEN REVOLVING DOOR
[Commentary] The announcement that Michael K. Powell has become a
"Senior Advisor" at Providence Equity Partners is evidence once again
that the "revolving door" between the FCC and the very industries it
oversees should be slammed shut. Powell joins his fellow former
chairs Richard Wiley, Mark Fowler, Dennis Patrick, Reed Hundt, and
William Kennard, all of whom went from the FCC to work in the media
and telecommunications industries. With lucrative industry
employment ahead of them, FCC chairs (and most commissioners) have a
built-in conflict of interest. They simply can't take the
independent positions necessary to fulfill their responsibilities to
the public -- and to the public interest. In the "free-market"
economy of Washington DC and Wall Street, being a political "quick
change" artist and then going to work for an industry one once
oversaw is considered a mark of success. But the practice does a
disservice to the public, including workers, investors, and
competitors. Chairs and Commissioners should pledge that they will
work in the nonprofit sector for a reasonable period after the serve
in office. Otherwise, there will always be the concern that pro-Big
Media philosophies are simply part of resumes for a highly-paid post-
FCC gigs.
[SOURCE: Center for Digital Democracy]
<http://www.democraticmedia.org/news/washingtonwatch/
FCCrevolvingdoor.html>
* Former FCC Chairman To Join Investment Firm
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/11/
AR2005081101943.html>
* Michael Powell goes to Providence Equity
<http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20050812/powell12.art.htm>
Weblog at: <http://weblog.warpspeed.com>
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