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FCC Member Wants Probe of Ala. TV Station

'60 Minutes' went black as piece linking Rove to ex-gov's case began

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 4, 2008 4:10 PM CST

(Newser) – An FCC commissioner wants to know why an Alabama TV station went off the air just as a "60 Minutes" segment critical of Karl Rove started, Broadcasting & Cable reports. WHNT blamed a “technical difficulty," but Michael Copps said today he wants to find out whether Sunday's blackout of most of a segment about the imprisonment of ex-governor Don Siegelman was a political move.

Copps, a Democrat, asked the commission chairman to open a formal inquiry into Sunday's outage; Kevin Martin, a Republican, says he'll investigate. The station president said, “There was no intent whatsoever to keep anyone from seeing the broadcast,” which aired again several times, the New York Times noted in an editorial that inspired Copps.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin J. Martin, left, looks on as commissioner Michael J. Copps, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington in this Feb. 1, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Manuel... (Associated Press)

Former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman talks with reporters after leaving the federal courthouse in Montgomery, Ala., Wednesday, June 27, 2007. Siegelman was sentenced to more than seven years in federal... (Associated Press)

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) commissioner Michael Copps speaks during the annual FCC Breakfast at the National Association of Broadcasters conference in Las Vegas in this April 17, 2007 file... (Associated Press)

White House political adviser Karl Rove uses his wireless e-mail device while accompanying President Bush, not pictured, in Long Beach, Miss., in this, March 1, 2007, file photo. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak,... (Associated Press)

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FCC Member Wants Probe of Ala. TV Station

'60 Minutes' went black as piece linking Rove to ex-gov's case began

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Karl Rove • FCC • Don Siegelman • Alabama • Michael Copps • Kevin Martin • governor • blackout • WHNT • technical difficulties • political decision

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Freed Former Ala. Governor Targets Rove

Siegelman, out on appeal, says politics put him in prison

Jailed Ex-Gov Wants Special Counsel

Siegelman seeks probe after '60 Minutes' report; Rove denies role

FCC Boss Nixes Bid to Open Up Wireless Networks

Systems already 'open enough,' he says

Judge Springs Gov. Linked to 'Political Prosecution'

Expected to testify at House probe on political cases

FCC OKs $24.7B Alltel Buyout to Private Group

But wireless carrier's new owner faces "unnecessary" restrictions, commish says

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FCC Member Wants Probe of Ala. TV Station

'60 Minutes' went black as piece linking Rove to ex-gov's case began

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Karl Rove • FCC • Don Siegelman • Alabama • Michael Copps • Kevin Martin • governor • blackout • WHNT • technical difficulties • political decision

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Freed Former Ala. Governor Targets Rove

Siegelman, out on appeal, says politics put him in prison

Jailed Ex-Gov Wants Special Counsel

Siegelman seeks probe after '60 Minutes' report; Rove denies role

FCC Boss Nixes Bid to Open Up Wireless Networks

Systems already 'open enough,' he says

Judge Springs Gov. Linked to 'Political Prosecution'

Expected to testify at House probe on political cases

FCC OKs $24.7B Alltel Buyout to Private Group

But wireless carrier's new owner faces "unnecessary" restrictions, commish says

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?