Date: Tue, 8 Dec 1992 12:27:28 CST >From: LOVE%TEMPLEVM@PSUVM.PSU.EDU Subject: File 6--COM DAILY ON F.C.C. TRANSITION >From Discussion of Government Document Issues * Communications Daily article on Clinton transition appointment for Federal Communications Commission (F.C.C.) The following article, written by Art Brodsky (202/872-9202, x252), is reprinted from the December 7, 1992 issue of Communications Daily, with permission. Communications Daily is published by Warren Publishing, Inc., 2115 Ward Court, N.W. Washington, DC 20037. `Far End of Spectrum' PLESSER TRANSITION APPOINTMENT DRAWS FIRE Public interest groups friday criticized naming of Washington attorney Ronald Plesser to head up communications issues for Clinton transition effort (CD Dec4, p1). Groups said Plesser, partner in Washington office of Baltimore law firm Piper & Marbury, represents clients that characterize Washington special interests. As might be expected, Plesser's appointment was defended by Clinton confidants. Plesser will head one of 2 groups in science and technology transition section led by ex-astronaut Sally Ride. Other group in Ride's section will evaluate hard science agencies such as NASA and National Science Foundation. Those transition groups were established to assess policies and agencies, not to make appointment recommendations. Personnel matters for permanent jobs are to be handled by ex-S.C. Gov. Richard Riley (CD Nov 20 p1). Clinton confidants praised Plesser's designation. "He's the right guy," we were told. "He'll take a snapshot of the agency," covering budget needs, personnel and similar matters. Transition team "will look to Ron for insights. He's the guy." Referring to much speculation in press about what Clinton has in mind and who his appointments might be, source said: "I wonder what on earth motivates some of this stuff...most of which is wildly inaccurate." Most criticism of Plesser centers on his advocacy on behalf of Direct Marketing Assn. (DMA) and Information Industry Assn. (IIA), particularly for advocating private sector control of databases constructed by public agencies. Taxpayer Assets Project Dir. James Love said Plesser "himself is the architect of the basic privatization policies that came about in the Reagan Administration." Plesser, he said, is "most ferocious opponent of librarians, citizen groups and the research community, who want to broaden public access to government, taxpayer-supported information systems. He's the devil himself when it comes to government information policy." Similarly, Marc Rotenberg, dir. of Washington office of Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR), said that "while there is personal regard for Ron Plesser, there is not happiness about this decision." Rotenberg said that Plesser's clients have great deal at stake at FCC, including decisions on 800 number portability and automatic number identification (ANI) that affect direct marketers, as well as on video dial tone and access to networks. Plesser represents "a far end of the spectrum in the policy debates," Rotenberg said. He said CPSR's main concerns are in areas of privacy protection, public access to govt. information, communications infrastructure. In each of those areas, "Ron has been from our viewpoint on the opposite side of the issue." Rotenberg said that if transition effort is merely to be brief fact-finding exercise, Clinton team could have sought out "someone with less bias," perhaps in academic community. Jeff Chester, co-dir. of Center for Media Education, said his group is "very concerned" about Plesser because "of the special interest lobbying baggage he carries with him." Chester said his group believes that Plesser's appointment "places an extra burden, a double duty on the Clinton Administration, to find people for the FCC and other telecommunications policy positions who don't come with any kind of lobbying baggage and reflect the kind of public interest concerns the Commission definitely needs." Transition team still having difficulty deciding how to apply its proposed tough ethics requirements for Presidential appointees (CD Nov 5 p1). There's still been no decision as "to how deep the 5-year restriction will be applied," we're told. That means, according to sources, restrictions--when they finally come out--may not go below Cabinet level. As for FCC appointees and top staffers (such as bureau chiefs) brought in, it hasn't been decided whether attempt will be made to extend period they couldn't practice or lobby agency to 5 years from one year. Proposal has been roundly criticized by Democrats who are know to be, or expect to be, in line for top jobs in Clinton Administration. ------------------------------ Downloaded From P-80 International Information Systems 304-744-2253