Biden’s Nominee for the FCC Faces Real Trouble, and That Is Good News – Opinion

Gigi Sohn is an already troubling figure, who’s shown in advance her inability to govern properly.

Imagine yourself at a job interview telling your potential employer you are unable to perform 20 percent of job duties because you have had prior conflicts. However, you still remain the most qualified candidate to be hired. If you were in business, it would mean closing the portfolio. However, in politics it’s considered an enhancement to your resume.

Congress, as with most matters and legislation in general, is now in some sort of limbo due to a Joe Biden confirmation. Gigi Sohn will be the next FCC seat holder, although the FCC already has a candidate. A long list of things on her resume The clearly activist government continued pushing her to be a valid candidate, despite the fact that this selection was problematic. Instead of going to the polls, There is a new development.Sohn might need to have a new confirmation hearing. This is an indicator that Sohn is unfit for office. But first, let’s look at her prior issues.

Sohn is a practicing lawyer who focuses on trade and communications. For decades, her career was one that is rooted in academia. After holding chairs and faculty positions at several universities, she moved into politics activism. At first glance, she is a typical D.C. citizen. Through the years she’s made many contacts in the communication industries and hosts parties that bring together top executives from relevant agencies.

Sohn spent time at the Media Access Project, an in-house lobbying firm, as well as being the head of Public Knowledge (a communications group focused on Internet control and intellectual property issues). Sohn joined the Obama administration through her many contacts. This is where she was able to promote. Fairness Doctrineto be put in and fixed up. Also, she was fighting For the push for Net Neutrality; while seemingly a positive stance, Sohn’s issue at the time was that The proposal could not be stronger.

In her confirmation process, a number of social media hits have raised red flags about Gigi’s ability to operate in an impartial fashion. Ted Cruz alerted the committee to previous tweets. when Sohn was rather intemperate towards Fox News. One ironic tweet was made by the lobbyist. He expressed a wish to limit speech freedoms. it was Donald TrumpWho was a danger to the Constitution. The FCC must consider the targeting of particular networks a problem if they place anyone in that position.

All my worries about #FacebookFox News, in my opinion has the greatest negative effect on democracy. This is state-sponsored propaganda with very few, if any, opposing views. Is there any hearing? https://t.co/Zwx6KFzrff

— Gigi Sohn (@gigibsohn) October 28, 2020

Gigi Sohn, despite these doubts, has shown a functional challenge for her appointment. This is a positive sign. The hearing closed. One concern that was raised late in the hearing was her direct involvement with Locast, which is a broadcasting app that was recently shut down. It was a TV viewing app which provided access to local television affiliates for those who did not have cable or other options.

It is a streaming service that works on both your smartphone and computer. Think of it like a digital antenna. Locast was intended to be a non-profit organization. However, broadcasters objected to the interruption of broadcasts and asked for $5 to subscribe to the service, which they claimed was necessary to cover costs.

The issue is the fact that Locast was fined $32,000,000 after a judge ruled against them last fall. Sohn, who was part the legal team of the now-defunct streamer had already signed the penalty arrangement. The parties reached a new agreement after Sohn was nominated to the FCC position. Locast will now face a much more relaxed $700,000. This is seen to be Sohn using her influence to get the broadcasters to accept a smaller amount for future leniency considerations if she was to be appointed. 

This is now the focus of her confirmation efforts. Congressman Roger Wicker (a ranking member on Commerce Committee) has focused his attention on this apparently brokered deal. Gigi Sohn is now back saying that she will be on the FCC board. Her intention was to withdraw herselfAny future FCC concerns regarding television broadcast copyright issues or rebroadcasting will be excluded. As an agency, the FCC is very involved in these matters.

In light of Sohn’s announcement at the last minute, Sen. Wicker requested a new confirmation.

“Questions about Ms. Sohn’s potential conflicts of interest have been dismissed as without merit by the White House and Ms. Sohn’s friends in the telecommunications advocacy community. Now comes this unprecedented recusal,” Wicker said in a statement. “The FCC is too important to have a commissioner who cannot serve in a significant capacity.”

Sohn’s confirmation vote has been canceled for now, and On February 9, there was a second confirmation hearingDetails regarding her appointment will be made.