Grassley Presses Genachowski On Lloyd Appointment

Sen. Grassley

Sen. CHUCK GRASSLEY (R-IA) sent a letter last week to FCC Chairman JULIUS GENACHOWSKI to voice his concern about the appointment of MARK LLOYD as Associate General Counsel and Chief Diversity Officer.  LLOYD's past writings indicated his support for methods to "balance" conservative talk radio with regulations other than the Fairness Doctrine, accomplishing the doctrine's goals through "localism" and "diversity" regulations.
 
"The appointment of MARK LLOYD to be the Associate General Counsel and Chief Diversity Officer is at odds with assurances that the FCC would not reinstate the Fairness Doctrine that Mr. GENACHOWSKI made prior to his U.S. Senate confirmation," said GRASSLEY.  "I hope Mr. GENACHOWSKI stands by his word and reaffirms his commitment to me that the FCC won't be considering anything that accomplishes the goals of the Fairness Doctrine."

In the letter, GRASSLEY wrote, "I do not believe that more regulation, more taxes or fines, or increased government intervention in the commercial radio market will serve the public interest or further the goals of diversifying the marketplace.  I am concerned that despite his statements that the Fairness Doctrine is unnecessary, Mr. LLOYD supports a backdoor method of furthering the goals of the Fairness Doctrine by other means.  Accordingly, I ask that you clarify and reaffirm your commitment to me to oppose any reincarnation of the Fairness Doctrine.  Further, I ask you to affirmatively state that you will not pursue an agenda that includes any new restrictions, fines, fees, or licensing requirements on commercial radio that would effectively create a backdoor Fairness Doctrine."

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