FCC Comr. Martin appears to be the leading candidate for the next FCC chairman now that Chmn. Powell has announced his departure (CD Jan 24 p1), according to several sources inside and outside of the FCC. They say Martin is well connected to the White House, possibly more so even than Powell, and would be an “easy” choice because he could move quickly into his new spot after only a perfunctory Hill hearing. As a comr., Martin could be designated as chmn. without having to be confirmed, which would prevent giving Democrats a platform on such political hot potatoes as media consolidation. “The smart money is on Martin; it’s the path of least resistence,” said a former FCC official. “There’s no clear leader but Martin is the easiest move if the President wants to avoid a long drawn-out battle,” said an industry lobbyist.

The immediate big issue confronting the White House with the pending departure of Chmn. Powell is who will be the next chairman. A few front runners were mentioned by several sources, most prominently Comr. Martin, former Tex. PUC Chmn. Becky Klein and NTIA Dir. Michael Gallagher. All 3 make little secret of their desire to head the FCC.

Nolan Moulle, CenturyTel, elected chmn., National Exchange Carrier Assn… NBC Universal TV promotes Martha Hanrahan to senior vp-music services… Promoted to partner at Wiley Rein & Fielding: Scott Bain, Martha Heller, Eric Leonard, Mark Pacella and Sandra Stevens; named of-counsel were James Phipps and Kathryn Todd… Bruce Smith will retire as Colo. PUC staff dir. Jan. 31… Changes at Discovery: Rick Holzman, ex-Universal TV, named vp-program planning & scheduling; Peter Lovering, ex-BBC, becomes vp-production & development, London.

President Bush renominated several people to federal judgeships last week, including some with ties to the telecom and Internet industries, or cases involving them. Each of the nominations had been held up by the Senate but was resubmitted by the Administration in anticipation of a stronger majority in the 109th Congress.

Gregg Elias, ex-Senate Commerce Committee staff, returns to Wiley Rein & Fielding as partner in communications & govt. affairs practice… Nortel Networks promoted Clent Richardson to chief mktg. officer… Anne Szostak, ex-FleetBoston Financial, joins Belo board… Wayne Gartin, ex-Bandwidth 9, named Centillium Communications vp-worldwide sales… Joe Bilotta of Buckley Bcstg. elected chmn. of Radio Ad Bureau board.

Rep. Barlett (R-Md.) introduced HR-3801 to repeal a provision in the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act (BCRA) to allow advocacy groups to place ads in the days leading up to an election, the congressman said Wed. Sen. Chambliss (R-Ga.) introduced a companion bill (S-2702). The First Amendment Restoration Act would repeal a section of BCRA that restricts broadcast ads by labor unions, interest groups and corporations that mention or depict federal candidates 30 days before a primary and 60 days before a general election. Though few legislative days remain before the election, the measure has 76 co- sponsors.

Senior Senate Judiciary Committee staffers, U.S. Copyright Office officials such as Assoc. Register Jule Sigall, and industry representatives including Sarah Deutsch and Kathy Zanowic of Verizon were meeting at our deadline Tues. regarding proposals to modify legislation targeting inducement of copyright infringement. A draft proposal by the Copyright Office circulated last week generated opposition among the high-tech and fair-use community (CD Sept 7 p6, Sept 3 p4). Critics have called it overbroad, with several groups instead urging consideration of a proposal CEA offered in Aug. (CD Aug 26 p7). Inducement language could be included with new authority for the Dept. of Justice in a broader copyright bill aimed at clearing Congress this year, according to Hill sources.

Broadcast attorneys still await rulings on some tougher indecency cases to help guide them when advising clients, they told us. The full FCC Mon. denied complaints against Will & Grace and Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes that contained sexual material (CD Aug 10 p1), but attorneys said they provide little practical guidance on indecency issues. “Each were clearly garden-variety cases that were properly decided by the FCC,” said former FCC Chmn. Richard Wiley.

FCC Wireless Bureau promoted Scott Delacourt to deputy chief… Christine Crowe, ex-Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker, joins Wilkinson Barker Knauer telecom and media practice as partner… John Barry returns to Wiley Rein & Fielding as litigator in communications practice… Mick Buckley promoted to pres.-managing dir., CNBC Europe… Michael Huseby, ex-Charter, becomes Cablevision exec. vp-CFO… Richy Glassberg, ex-Speed Channel, named senior vp-TV Guide TV Group ad sales… Betsy Bernard, ex-AT&T, joins board of URS Corp… Andy Tarrant resigns as regulatory affairs dir., European Competitive Telecom Assn., to return to Oxford U… Jo Major, ex-JDS Uniphase, becomes Avanex CEO… Sci Fi Channel promoted Adam Stotsky to senior vp-mktg. & creative.

WJZD(FM), Long Beach, Miss., said the FCC violated its own ex parte contact rules when it negotiated its $1.75 million indecency settlement with Clear Channel last week. In a letter to the FCC, the station said it had a pending proceeding before the FCC questioning Clear Channel’s “character” and indecent programming. Clear Channel’s settlement absolves the station giant of past indecency sins (CD June 10 p4). WJZD claims it should have been involved in any negotiations with Clear Channel. WJZD called last week’s agreement a “get out of jail almost free card negotiated behind closed doors.” The station also said FCC Comr. Martin should have recused himself from the settlement negotiations because Clear Channel is a client of Martin’s former law firm, Wiley Rein & Fielding.