FCC chief Michael Powell to step down in March

FCC chief Michael Powell to step down in March

MUMBAI: US Federal Communications Commission chief Michael K. Powell has decided to quit. He made the formal announcement on 21 January that he would be quitting the agency in March.

Powell, son of outgoing Secretary of State Colin Powell, has completed four years at the helm of FCC. His exit will end a tumultuous four-year tenure marked by battles over indecency on the airwaves.

Powell has said in The Washington Times that he was uncomfortable waging the war on indecency, a reference to the stormy period after singer Janet Jackson's infamous performance at last year's Super Bowl show. Powell, who had opposed tight regulation of telecommunications, backed unprecedented fines against broadcast indecency.

Powell has been quoted in media reports as saying that he has completed a bold and aggressive agenda and looks forward to spending more time with his wife and two sons.