Lawmakers to probe FCC "transparency" concerns

By Peter Kaplan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A key House lawmaker said on Monday he would launch an investigation into complaints about the way the U.S. Federal Communications Commission is being run by FCC chairman Kevin Martin.

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell said a commerce subcommittee would look into "an apparent breakdown in an open and transparent regulatory process" at the FCC under Martin.

The chairman of the Energy and Commerce subcommittee on oversight and investigations, Bart Stupak, said he had received complaints about the FCC from the public and from communications industry professionals.

"It is one thing to be an aggressive leader, but many of the allegations indicate possible abuse of power and an attempt to intentionally keep fellow commissioners in the dark," said Stupak, a Democrat from Michigan.

FCC spokesman Clyde Ensslin said: "We will respond to the congressman as we do with all letters from members."

He declined further comment.

Dingell cited a dispute that erupted at the FCC's last meeting on November 27, when some commissioners accused Martin of suppressing and manipulating information in pursuit of a measure that would have opened the door to tougher regulations on U.S. cable TV operators.

In addition to the dispute over proposed cable regulations, Martin has also triggered criticism from some lawmakers, consumer groups and other commissioners by pressing for the commission to vote by year's end on changes that would loosen U.S. media ownership rules.