Statement of Public Knowledge of Recusal of Commissioner McDowell
For Immediate Release
FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell said he would recuse himself from the Commission's deliberations on the AT&T takeover of BellSouth. The following statement is attributed to Gigi B. Sohn, president of Public Knowledge:
Commissioner McDowell should be commended for his thoughtful deliberation over what anyone would consider a very difficult decision. In the end, he was correct to recuse himself from the AT&T takeover of BellSouth. This is too important a transaction to be clouded by the ethical questions that would have come up had the Commissioner taken part in the proceeding. It is now up to Chairman Martin to negotiate a balanced set of terms and conditions with Commissioners Copps and Adelstein that will protect the public interest and the freedom of the Internet. We have every hope he will do so.
Members of the media may contact Communications Director Shiva Stella with inquiries, interview requests, or to join the Public Knowledge press list at shiva@publicknowledge.org or 405-249-9435.