MICHAEL K. POWELL'S GOLDEN REVOLVING DOOR

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Dewayne Hendricks <dewayne () warpspeed com>
Date: August 12, 2005 8:38:45 AM EDT
To: Dewayne-Net Technology List <dewayne-net () warpspeed com>
Subject: [Dewayne-Net] MICHAEL K. POWELL'S GOLDEN REVOLVING DOOR
Reply-To: dewayne () warpspeed com


[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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