DECEPTION AND DISTRUST: THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION UNDER CHAIRMAN KEVIN J. MARTIN

It should come as no surprise that a Bush appointee was found to have been either incompetent or diabolical or both.  That's Kevin Martin in the photo literally in bed with a media exec. and an industry lobbyist. 

But take heart, media reform activists.  In only six days, we can say good-bye to Bush, good-bye to Kevin Martin, and hello to President Obama and…Julius Genachowski! (to
whom Nick Johnson gives a nod of general support).  Genachowski is an
Obama crony from way back, but unlike W's cronies, one with actual talent, knowledge, and appropriate job experience.  Find out more about the newly announced FCC Chairman nominee here.

The full investigative report on Martin can be found here.  

See a summary at Huff-Po.

Here's a quick excerpt:

This investigation was prompted by allegations to the effect that Chairman Kevin J. Martin has abused FCC procedures by manipulating or suppressing reports, data, and information. Allegations of a broken process at the FCC came from current and former FCC employees, telecommunications industry representatives, and even other commissioners, and were often reported in the press.

As discussed in more detail below, we found:

There are instances in which the Chairman manipulated, withheld, or suppressed data, reports, and information….Chairman Martin withheld important and relevant data from the other Commissioners….Moreover, it was done with the purpose of affecting congressional decision-making, in that it was issued as a report to Congress. 

And, watch this space next week for live reporting from Washington, DC, as Blog for Iowa joins the mass pilgrimage to the Barack Obama presidential inauguration.