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Contemporary corporate media lobby
Throughout most of its history, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has been a relatively invisible part of the U.S. government, known mostly to industry stakeholders, lobbyists, and officials. With the general public not knowing its practices and responsibilities, this has given a tremendous advantage to those knowledgeable of the FCC’s practices and organized enough to influence them. The FCC has long been the second home to a legion of (lawyers and lobbyists) [...] whose occupation is convincing the staff and commissioners to approve policies that benefit a particular company or industry. —Jeff Chester, executive director of Center for Digital Democracy There is evidence that the FCC continues to be influenced by the corporate media lobby.

The strong, direct relationships that have developed over the years between regulators and corporate media lobbyists, is essential to greater influence. It goes much deeper than the idea that the lobby has simply been around for a while. Members of the FCC have traditionally had strong connections to industry. As the job of an FCC commissioner or staffer is often highly technical, and specific knowledge of the dynamics of the telecommunications and media industries must be known, commissioners are often plucked out of high-paying jobs in the industry. History has shown, due to the fact that FCC Commissioners are appointed only to five-year terms, that there is a revolving door between the Commission and industry. [T]hey usually go directly to work for the media or telecommunications businesses after they leave office. —Jeff Chester, executive director of Center for Digital Democracy FCC commissioners often become influential lobbyists after their terms expire. Many of the lobbyists that frequent the FCC’s office are, "not infrequently including ex-commissioners and ex-chairs". Every former (FCC) chair for the last three decades has gone to work in one way or another with the media and telecommunications industry.... As one aide to an FCC commissioner privately remarked, ‘People leave here on Friday and are lobbying me the following Monday! —Jeff Chester, executive director of Center for Digital Democracy Politicians and businesses want the most knowledgeable and well-connected individuals working for them, which keeps the pool of potential hires quite small. The most influential lobbying strategy – access – is an advantage of the corporate media lobby.

Notable examples

 * Newton Minow — After leaving the Commission, he became a partner at Sidley Austin LLP, one of US' largest law firms. In more recent years, he has served on the boards of media companies such as CBS and Chicago Tribune. He has also worked with advertising companies including Foote, Cone & Belding.
 * E. William Henry — Chairman from 1963 through 1966 who became an industry lawyer after leaving FCC.
 * Dean Burch — Chairman from 1969 to 1974 who also became an industry lawyer after leaving FCC. After practicing as an industry lawyer, he left his practice to run Intelsat, an organization that manages global communications satellites.
 * Richard Wiley — Chairman from 1974 to 1977. He is still described today as the FCC’s "sixth commissioner". His law firm Wiley Rein & Fielding LLP has represented both industry advocacy groups as well as numerous media conglomerates including Time Warner, Gannett, Clear Channel, CBS, Verizon, Microsoft and General Electric. In recent years, Wiley has become extremely influential and has "supplied more lawyers to the important telecommunications posts in the Bush administration than any other firm". Former Wiley Rein & Fielding associates were also appointed to important posts in the White House as well as various cabinet positions during the Bush administration. Other former Wiley associates have also been advisers to some US Senators, including Bill Frist. Even former FCC chairman Kevin Martin worked for Wiley Rein & Fielding at one point.