US congressional panel sharpens probe of FCC

By Peter Kaplan

WASHINGTON, March 12 (Reuters) - A U.S. House of Representatives committee has sharpened its investigation into complaints about the way the U.S. Federal Communications Commission is being run by its chairman, Kevin Martin.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee, in a letter Wednesday to the five-member FCC, listed of a series of documents it is seeking and named specific agency actions it is probing, including the relaxation of media ownership restrictions and an attempted regulatory crackdown on cable television operators.

Among the documents sought as part of the bipartisan probe are studies the agency reviewed in making its recent decision on U.S. media ownership rules.

The FCC voted along party lines in December to ease the ban on ownership of a newspaper and broadcast outlet in a single market, but only in the 20 biggest U.S. cities. The decision came over the objections from consumer groups and some lawmakers.

The committee also asked for an agency analysis relating to proposal by Martin in November that would have opened the door to tougher regulations on U.S. cable TV operators.

At an FCC meeting on Nov. 27, some commissioners accused Martin of suppressing and manipulating information in an effort to justify a cable crackdown, which was put on hold pending further study.

Other documents sought by the committee include FCC guidelines on how information is shared among the FCC's five commissioners; between agency and Congress; and between the agency and "outside entities." They also include records on hiring and reassignment of senior FCC officials since 2005.

FCC spokesman Mary Diamond issued a statement in response to the letter saying, "We look forward to continuing to cooperate with the committee." She declined further comment.