Kevin Martin, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission said he doesn’t think the agency should regulate Google Video, YouTube or other such online video portals.
Martin said during his renomination hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee Tuesday that he doesn’t think the Internet should be taxed or be forced to pay fees into the Universal Service Fund for telecommunications service in rural areas, saying it would discourage broadband service expansion by increasing costs.
Martin explained that he doesn’t believe the FCC has the authority to regulate the Internet like it does with on-air broadcasters, though he preferred it did. He added that he felt that legislators should try to make the Internet a “more decent” place.
A longtime Republican, the 39-year-old Martin succeeded then FCC Chairman Michael Powell in March 2005, and must now be renominated in order to be confirmed by Congress to resume his post at the agency. He joined the FCC in 2001.
Martin is known for siding with the agency’s two Democrats in February 2003 and opposing Powell’s proposal to lift the Baby Bells’ obligations of leasing their networks to rivals at discounted rates.
