12:35 PM PST 1/21/2021
in
Alex Weprin
Meanwhile, Rebecca Slaughter has been named acting president of the FTC.
President Joe Biden chose Federal Communications Commission Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel to be the interim president of the government agency. Rosenworcel has been an FCC commissioner since 2012 and is seen as one of the favorites to be named the next permanent president.
Ajit Pai stepped down as president of the FCC on Wednesday.
“I thank the President for the opportunity to lead an agency with such a vital mission and a talented team,” said Rosenworcel in a statement on Thursday. “It is a privilege to serve the American people and work on their behalf to expand the reach of communications. opportunity in the digital age. “
The FCC regulates everything from television stations to satellite launches and Internet rules and regulations. Under Pai, the agency eliminated the net neutrality rules, which oversaw the data flowing over the Internet. Rosenworcel strongly criticized the change at the time, although it is unclear whether the agency will attempt to undo that change.
Comcast, the country’s largest cable and internet provider, said through its legal director, Tom Reid, who praised the nomination, adding that Rosenworcel “worked passionately and tirelessly on the critical issues of connecting all Americans to broadband and closing the homework gap, and was a clear leader in public security issues and in promoting a balanced spectrum policy. “
Gordon Smith, president of the National Association of Broadcasters, said in a statement that he “applauds” the change, adding that “she is a dedicated and experienced public official who has demonstrated a strong aptitude for leading communications policy during her term on the Commission. We look forward to working with her and her fellow commissioners on regulatory policies that help local radio and TV stations serve the public interest. “
At the same time, Biden appointed Federal Trade Commission Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter to be the acting chairman of the FTC. Current FTC President Joe Simons plans to step down on January 29, while Slaughter’s fellow Democratic Commissioner Rohit Chopra has been appointed to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
The FTC, together with the DOJ’s antitrust division, is responsible for overseeing mergers and acquisitions, which often involve media or technology companies. The agency is involved in an active lawsuit against Facebook, accusing the technology giant of monopolization. Slaughter voted in favor of the action.