The Verge has published an interview with FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler which touches on net neutrality, software defined radio, software defined networking, zero-rating cell-phone data plans, opening up the cablebox to 3rd party access and how his experience as a telecom lobbyist has inured him to lobbyist tactics. In recent days, Wheeler has suggested that, contrary to convention, he might not leave his seat at the FCC when Obama leaves office.
Related Stories
John M. Donnelly, a senior writer at CQ Roll Call, said he was trying to talk with FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly one-on-one after a news conference when two plainclothes guards pinned him against a wall with the backs of their bodies.
“Not only did they get in between me and O’Rielly but they put their shoulders together and simultaneously backed me up into the wall and pinned me to the wall for about 10 seconds just as I started to say, “Commissioner O’Rielly, I have a question,” Donnelly said Friday.
Donnelly said he was stopped long enough to allow O’Rielly to walk away.
Donnelly, who also happens to be chair of the National Press Club Press Freedom team, said he was then forced out of the building after being asked why he had not posed his question during the news conference.
O'Rielly apologized to Donnelly on Twitter, saying he didn't recognize Donnelly in the hallway. "I saw security put themselves between you, me and my staff. I didn't see anyone put a hand on you. I'm sorry this occurred."
According to the publication for which the reporter works (archived copy),
Senators, including Judiciary Chairman Charles E. Grassley, are warning the Federal Communications Commission about its treatment of reporters after a CQ Roll Call reporter was manhandled Thursday.
“The Federal Communications Commission needs to take a hard look at why this happened and make sure it doesn’t happen again. As The Washington Post pointed out, it’s standard operating procedure for reporters to ask questions of public officials after meetings and news conferences,” the Iowa Republican said. “It happens all day, every day. There’s no good reason to put hands on a reporter who’s doing his or her job.”
(Score: 3, Insightful) by fustakrakich on Saturday March 12 2016, @02:48AM
Sure wish we had the same with our telecom system. It all needs to be under common carrier and publicly funded infrastructure. And we the voters are responsible for oversight! Don't vote for stupid shit.
La politica e i criminali sono la stessa cosa..
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday March 12 2016, @03:31AM
Better salute President Trump now, hope he agrees.
(Score: 2) by captain normal on Saturday March 12 2016, @04:15AM
Obviously you haven't driven on the highways in California.
Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts"- --Daniel Patrick Moynihan--
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday March 12 2016, @06:53AM
There may be multiple reasons for one to wonder.
For example: "I wonder how they can be a developed country with such crappy highways?"
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday March 12 2016, @05:10AM
Berserker!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday March 12 2016, @01:34PM
Berserker!