Powell reaction Part 4
Here's a selection of reactions to the announced departure of Michael Powell from the chairmanship of the FCC, including his fellow Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein, who released his own statement too late for our 8th Floor edition (1/24/05 RBR #16).
Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein: "I have enjoyed working with Chairman Powell over the past two years. He is a talented, engaging and intelligent leader. It has been a dynamic period in the telecommunications industry, and I appreciate his commitment to facilitating the 'digital migration.' He has been a dedicated leader for the staff of the Commission, and has implemented many noteworthy programs and objectives to further improve and expand on Commission resources. My staff and I wish him well in his future endeavors.
Common Cause President Chellie Pingree: ""...Powell's departure offers the Bush Administration an opportunity to demonstrate that it truly believes in the principles of what the President touts as the 'ownership society,' naming as a replacement a chairman who truly believes that it is the public, not corporations, who own the broadcast airwaves. Powell was a disaster for the public, not because he was some corrupt government official who was on the take from big media. Powell appeared to be an honorable man who simply held to the wrong beliefs, staunchly contending that competition would solve all our concerns about diversity of voices, adequate news and information, and a media that helps viewers become citizens. He talked about all the sources of news and entertainment now available to us, the 500-channel universe, but did not seem to understand that almost all the providers of this information were owned by the same handful of media giants. Whoever replaces Chairman Powell must do better. The American public deserves a regulator who puts the needs of viewers and listeners above the profit considerations of conglomerates, who understands that localism is not an empty phrase, but one that is crucial to democracy, who believes that diverse owners of local media outlets will better respond to community needs. We need a chairman who also will advance a media vision based on access to the Internet that is open to all, and whose content is not dictated by a few corporations."
Free Press President Robert W. McChesney: "Michael Powell will not be missed by those of us concerned about creating a more democratic media system. His tenure was marked by some of the lowest moments in the history of the FCC - - most notably the disastrous decision in June 2003 to further losen media ownership rules. Powell's record has been one of avoiding the public he was meant to serve. He had to be dragged kicking and screaming to the few public hearings he attended, yet he made countless appearances before industry groups and trade associations. However, Powell's departure presents an opportunity for President Bush to reach out to the millions of Americans who have pleaded with Congress and the FCC to stop further media consolidation, enforce public interest obligations, increase the diversity of voices in the media, and create policies that will encourage universal, low-cost access to the Internet. President Bush should choose a new chairman who will represent the public, not just the largest media moguls."
TiVo Chairman and CEO Mike Ramsay: "FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell will be sorely missed by all of us at TiVo. Chairman Powell has made an indelible contribution to a digital revolution that is only beginning to shape our lives in the 21st Century. He understands the full implications of that revolution for consumers and our country. He has shown a remarkable ability to focus on policies that permit the forces of competition and innovation to shape the development of digital technologies to their full potential. In these formative years of the digital era, he will be remembered and valued as a leader who saw a future of abundant choice and knew how to get there."
Are you reading this from a forwarded email?
