FCC Nominee Gigi Sohn Signs Recusal Agreement

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, January 27, 2022 | 6:44pm CT

Gigi Sohn

Democratic FCC nominee Gigi Sohn has pledged to recuse herself temporarily from two broadcast regulatory issues if confirmed by the Senate to the Commission's vacant seat, reports Bloomberg Law. These issues include retransmission consent or television broadcast copyright for the first three years of her term. Sohn also said she would recuse herself for four years concerning the rules governing retranmission consent.

The National Association of Broadcasters had pushed for Sohn to recuse from certain broadcast issues, citing concerns about her tenure as a board member of Locast, that was ordered to shut down after illegally streaming programming.

"Ms. Sohn's recusal agreement resolves the concerns NAB raised regarding her nomination," said NAB in a statement. "NAB appreciates Ms. Sohn's willingness to seriously consider our issues regarding retransmission consent and broadcast copyright, and to address those concerns in her recusal. We look forward to the Senate moving forward with Ms. Sohn's confirmation and are eager to work with her and the full complement of commissioners in the very near future," the association added.

The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee has scheduled a vote on Sohn's nomination on February 2.