WASHINGTON D.C. - This morning, the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce released a staff report on its investigation of the Federal Communication Commission's management practices and regulatory processes. The following statement may be attributed to Barbara Esbin, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Communications and Competition Policy at The Progress & Freedom Foundation:

"The House Energy and Commerce Committee Majority Staff Report, 'Deception and Distrust,' is a searing indictment of Chairman Martin's leadership of the FCC in nearly every respect. The fact that the Chairman has gotten away with this gross mismanagement of public resources and lax oversight of telecommunications support funds for nearly four years is disturbing. Waste and abuse of process and staff are a sad legacy, and the toll is not merely procedural, the effects of the Chairman's actions affected lives and careers. We hope that the next leader of the agency conducts a thorough review of internal processes with any eye toward both improving staff morale, re-introducing transparency and collegiality, and restoring the quality of FCC decision-making."

The Progress & Freedom Foundation is a market-oriented think tank that studies the digital revolution and its implications for public policy. It is a 501(c)(3) research & educational organization.