FCC Meets in Closed Door Session with Telecom Lobbyists

WASHINGTON, June 22, 2010 – The Federal Communications Commission held a closed door meeting with major stakeholders to possibly come to a deal on broadband regulation. In a move which looks to be directly opposed to the Obama administration’s promise of increased government transparency, the FCC will not make the meeting open to the public.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that that high level staffers will meet with Verizon, AT&T, Google, and the National Cable & Telecommunications Association along with other lobbyists. Notably absent from this group are any consumer rights organizations such as Consumers Union, Free Press, New America or Public Knowledge.

"We're going to have a whole series of stakeholder meetings," FCC Chief of Staff Edward Lazarus said to the WSJ after the meeting.

It is important to note that congress will also be holding closed door meetings about these issues; however they have announced that statements will be released on the topics discussed.