Federal Communications Commission FCC 11-11 37 STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER MICHAEL J. COPPS Re: In the Matter of Amendment of the Commission’s Ex Parte Rules and Other Procedural Rules, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, GC Docket No. 10-43. Today the Commission makes true improvements to the transparency and openness of its work. Back in 1913, Justice Brandeis wisely commented that “sunshine is said to be the best disinfectant.” I am a strong believer in that old adage. That is why, as Acting Chairman, I initiated the drafting of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to reform our ex parte rules. I commend Chairman Genachowski for his leadership in bringing this proceeding to a sound conclusion. Strong ex parte rules are critical to ensuring that everyone has a fair opportunity to respond to arguments made in oral communications with the Commission. Decisions of this agency should always be based on the public interest—not the interests of lobbyists who come in for closed-door meetings. I have seen far too many instances where ex parte filings simply reference that a meeting took place on a given topic, without nearly enough detail on the arguments or data presented to allow the public or interested parties to meaningfully respond. No more. I am confident that the reforms we make to our ex parte rules—combined with rigorous enforcement—will usher in a new era of transparency, openness and credibility to our work.