NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D. C.  20554
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                 NEWS CONTACT:
OCTOBER 22, 2009    Lauren Belvin at (202) 418-2663
Lauren.Belvin@fcc.gov
OCTOBER 28 WORKSHOP FOCUSES ON IMPROVING DISCLOSURE 
OF EX PARTE CONTACTS
Washington, D.C. -- The Federal Communications Commission will hold a staff workshop on
October 28, 2009 to explore possible revisions to the Commission’s ex parte rules and processes 
to enhance the transparency of the Commission’s actions while at the same time maximizing the 
exchange of information between the public and the Commission.
This workshop follows an internal study of the current ex parte rules by Commission staff which 
identified a number of areas in which the current rules might be improved or updated.  The 
workshop will also explore new issues posed by the increasing use of Internet-based media of 
communication and expression, such as blogs. 
The workshop participants consist of practicing attorneys as well as representatives of 
companies, trade associations, and public interest groups, all of whom have substantial 
experience with the ex parte rules. The panelists will provide their perspectives on the successes 
and shortcomings of the current rules and suggest alternatives to better balance the goals of 
fairness, openness, and efficiency.  A moderating panel of senior FCC staff will direct the panel
discussions and pose questions.
TIME:     Wednesday, October 28, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
LOCATION:     FCC Commission Meeting Room, 445 12th Street SW, Washington D.C. 
20554.
ONLINE:     A live Webcast of the workshop will be available at http://www.fcc.gov/live/.
MODERATING PANEL:  Austin Schlick, FCC General Counsel
 Joel Kaufman, FCC Associate General Counsel
 MaryBeth Richards, Special Counsel to the Chairman for FCC 
Reform  
PANELISTS:   Christopher Bjornson, Co-Chair, Federal Communications Bar Association 
 Access to Government Committee
 Diane Cornell, Vice President, Government Affairs, Inmarsat, Inc.
 Jane Mago, Executive Vice President and General Counsel,        
 National Association of Broadcasters
 Amy Mehlman, President, Mehlman Capitol Strategies
John Muleta, Chief Executive Officer, M2Z Networks, Inc.
 Jef Pearlman, Staff Attorney, Public Knowledge 
 Andrew Jay Schwartzman, President and CEO, Media Access Project                                                                                          
 David H. Solomon, Partner, Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP
During the workshop audience members will have the opportunity to suggest questions in 
writing.  Questions will be reviewed and, time permitting, may be asked by the moderators.  
Prior to the workshop, questions can be emailed to lauren.belvin@fcc.gov
Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request.  The request 
should include a detailed description of the accommodation needed and contact information.  
Please provide as much advance notice as possible; last minute requests will be accepted, but 
may be impossible to fill.  Send an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer and 
Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (TTY).