There was muted response from FCC Mon. on FTC Chmn. Timothy Muris...
There was muted response from FCC Mon. on FTC Chmn. Timothy Muris’s suggestion that his agency should have jurisdiction over consumer protection and deceptive ad complaints against common carriers (CD March 18 p1). Currently, that’s realm of FCC. FCC…
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Consumer Information Bureau Chief Dane Snowden said he hadn’t seen FTC’s proposal but said “there are many areas where we work with the FTC and other agencies within our respective jurisdictions to reach a common goal of protecting consumers.” Source in FCC Comr. Abernathy’s office said she would be “willing to consider a greater FTC role” in policing ads, given that FCC doesn’t have “particular experience or expertise.” Comr. Martin, speaking by phone from Istanbul, Turkey, said he hadn’t seen details of Muris plan but, like Snowden, mentioned that FCC and FTC had worked jointly in last few years on policies to protect consumers. “I don’t know anything else about the specifics of his comments or how he wanted to go forward,” Martin said. He declined to comment further. Without commenting specifically on Muris’s proposal, FCC Comr. Copps said agency could be doing more: “One thing is clear -- deceptive and misleading advertising is nowhere near under control. I believe it is well within the FCC’s jurisdiction to move aggressively against unscrupulous practices. We have the authority and the Commission ought to be vigorously using it.” Adviser in FCC Chmn. Powell’s office didn’t return phone call seeking comment. Jeffrey Chester, exec. dir. of Center for Digital Democracy (CDD), said FTC should move into a common carrier consumer protection due to its history and expertise. “Given the level of convergence in the industry, it makes a lot of sense,” Chester said. Chester said FCC hasn’t done good job with ad practices and said it was “another example of the FCC’s coziness with industry.” However, Chester said Muris’ comments on common carrier was a “tiny bone” he was throwing to Congress to take attention from recent merger review agreement between FTC and Justice Dept. (DoJ). Agreement would give DoJ all media mergers, which has drawn concern from Sen. Hollings (D-S.C.) as well as Chester and other consumer protection groups. Muris will testify before Senate appropriations subcommittee, of which Sen. Hollings is chmn., Tues. at 10 a.m. at Dirksen Senate Office Building Room 138.