FCC Chairman Genachowski to step down

By PETER SVENSSON

AP Technology Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -- The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Julius Genachowski, is set to announce his resignation.

The country's top telecommunications regulator is holding a staff meeting Friday morning. According to the agenda, he is announcing plans to step down in "coming weeks."

His impending departure was reported Thursday by several news outlets.

Genachowski has hewed a middle line between the desires of public-interest groups and the telecom industry, which hasn't enamored him to either side.

His departure will follow that of Republican Robert McDowell, which leaves the five-member commission with a 2-1 Democratic majority until President Obama appoints a new chairman and commissioner.

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