Newly appointed Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin J. Martin was named the commission’s defense commissioner on April 13, according to documents released by the FCC late last week. The FCC is the government’s chief regulator of media and telecommunications.
Now, in addition to his role as FCC chair, Martin’s responsibilities will include “overseeing all homeland security, national security, and emergency preparedness and defense functions of the Commission,” as noted in the procedural order appointing Martin to the post. “This involves, inter alia: (1) representing the Commission in interagency matters pertaining to homeland security, national security, and emergency preparedness and defense matters, including matters pertaining to continuity of government during national emergencies; (2) serving as the principal point of contact for the Commission on all matters pertaining to the Department of Homeland Security; (3) developing emergency programs covering service provision by wireless and wireline telecommunications carriers, broadcast, cable, and satellite facilities, as well as radio frequency assignment, investigation, and enforcement; and (4) assuming the duties of the Commission under certain emergencies.”
Martin, 38, a North Carolina attorney with close ties to the White House, was tagged to lead the commission by President George W. Bush in March. He succeeded resigning chairman Michael Powell, who also served as defense commissioner during his tenure with the FCC. Powell was seen as a crusader against indecency, proposing a record $4 million-plus in fines during his four years at the commission’s helm.
Prior to his appointment as chairman, Martin was one of three Republican commissioners and spearheaded the FCC’s crackdown on indecency. He consistently advocated expanded government regulation of broadcast content.
Despite the expectation that Martin might take an even harder line against indecency on the airwaves than did his predecessor, he has said he is in favor of cable television regulating itself in that regard. "I prefer markets and competition to regulation whenever possible," Martin told the annual cable industry convention in early April. "Competition first, then regulation." Pay-per-view cable and satellite television are significant distributors of adult entertainment.
