SpectrumTalk

A Credible Inspector General
Would Make
FCC More Credible

I wrote in January about longstanding problems with the FCC Inspector General. Under existing legislation he has the same responsibilities as IGs of other agencies, even though as the IG of a small agency he is not confirmed by the Senate.

Previous FCC IGs have all been long term FCC employees who appear to have been selected by the Chairman for their ability/willingness "not to shake the boat". Thus they have consistently turned a blind eye to any problems within FCC that might reflect poorly on the 8th Floor. (Part of the IG's job is oversight of the multibillion dollar Universal Service Fund and I am not referring to those issues.)

In the January post I showed how other agencies' IGs have improved their credibility by pointing out problems and asking hard questions. I suggested that the new team break with the past and appoint as FCC IG an experienced and respected IG staffer from a larger agency. The FCC IG job is now vacant and I hope that others can now support the call for an independent outside for this important job.

While an effective IG might find problems, his statements that something is OK would also be very credible and he could help protect FCC staffers from types of abuse that were common in recent years.