Gigi Sohn, Joe Biden’s choice to fill a fifth slot on the FCC, told a Senate committee on Wednesday that she has been subject to “unrelenting, unfair, and outright false criticism and scrutiny,” as she’s been a target of attacks from the right and industry lobbyists raise issues that have delayed her confirmation process.Sohn’s nomination is significant because her confirmation would give Democrats a 3-2 majority on the FCC, allowing it to move forward on contentious issues like net neutrality and media consolidation.
Since last year, the commission has been split between the parties 2-2.Under questioning before the Senate Commerce Committee, Sohn said that some companies have been “opportunistic” in seizing on one issue: whether she should recuse herself from matters that she has previously weighed in on as a public interest advocate, including her tenure as co-founder of the group Public Knowledge.Sohn said, “I think there are certain very large companies that would like the FCC continue to be deadlocked.
It’s no secret.”Soon after Sohn was nominated in late October, it was clear that her confirmation process would be contentious.
The Wall Street Journal editorialized against her and Fox News’ Tucker Carlson did a segment accusing her of trying to stifle free speech.Yet her years as a public interest advocate, including as cofounder of Public Knowledge, she’s taken positions that at times put her at odds with major and telecom conglomerates and Hollywood studios.
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