FCC Commissioner's Conflict of Interest

It's official. Corporations have taken over key institutions of government. The latest outrage involves the Federal Communications Commission. Republican FCC Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker is leaving the FCC to become a lobbyist for Comcast/NBC Universal — just four months after she voted to approve the controversial merger of the two media behemoths.

Demand Congress investigate FCC Commissioner Baker's conflict of interest. Click here and your name will be automatically added to our petition.

The Comcast/NBC Universal merger isn't the only issue she was able to impact during her time with the FCC. She was also an ardent and vocal foe of net neutrality. In fact, she even opposed the weak, loophole-ridden net neutrality rules passed by the FCC in December. For her, even net neutrality in name only went too far.

Baker's move to Comcast/NBC is just the latest — but perhaps most blatant — example of so-called "public servants" cashing in on companies they are supposed to be regulating. But Baker's jump to Comcast is particularly egregious. As recently as March, the commissioner was giving speeches complaining that the Comcast-NBC deal "took too long."

Important questions need to be asked. Was she negotiating her new position with Comcast/NBC Universal even while the merger was being considered by the FCC? Or Net Neutrality?

Congress is already concerned about how the FCC conducts itself. Rep. Darrell Issa, chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, has been making a lot of noise recently about alleged ethical violations at the agency.

And in the Senate, Sen. Carl Levin chairs the Judiciary Committee, which held some jurisdiction over the Comcast-NBC merger.

By signing this petition to Congressman Issa and Senator Levin, you're urging them to launch an investigation of Commissioner Baker's seemingly blatant conflict of interest.

Outside of Washington, people of every political stripe have expressed near unanimous contempt for a system of government that favors powerful corporations at the expense of the many. Sadly, the complete capture of government by industry barely raises an eyebrow in Washington, DC, anymore. That's why Congress needs to hear from us now and we need to speak with a loud voice.

We're joining our allies at Free Press to shine a bright light on the revolving door at the FCC which erodes any prospect for common-sense public policy — such as strong Net Neutrality rules or a rigorous review of mega-deals like AT&T's proposed takeover of T-Mobile.

A corporate media unchecked is a threat to democracy. Thank you for joining us in taking action.

Matt Lockshin, Campaign Manager CREDO Action from Working Assets

1. 'Regulator to Join Comcast After OK of NBC Deal', Associated Press,