Preston Padden, a former top News Corp. executive, has tweeted his unhappiness with the News Corp.-owned The Wall Street Journal,  in the latest twist in the ongoing drama of the Gigi Sohn FCC nomination saga.

Sohn was nominated for the empty Democratic seat on the Federal Communications Commission and after some delay and pushback from Republicans, is scheduled to get a confirmation hearing February 2, though at least one hold threat looms even if she is favorably referred for a full Senate vote.

Padden, who told NextTV several weeks ago he believed that Sohn deserved a seat on the commission, their policy differences notwithstanding, fired off a series of Twitter posts on Monday (January 31) making his key points after he said the WSJ had declined to publish them in his letter in support of Sohn even though the paper has run several pieces opposing her. The New York Post, also a News Corp. property, has run additional criticism of Sohn.

Preston also sent Next TV an updated version of the points in his letter, which is published here.

One of the issues Republicans had with Sohn were some tweets critical of News Corp.'s Fox News Channel, but that did not seem to create as much of a stir at her confirmation hearing as might have been expected.

The WSJ letters editor had not returned a request for comment at deadline as to why the paper declined to print the letter. Padden shared the response the editor had given him: “Unfortunately, we won’t be able to publish the letter, but I hope you can place it elsewhere, as you mentioned.” ■

The Wall Street Journal was reporting Friday that the Federal Trade Commission had voted to approve the anticipated Facebook fine (it said $5 billion) stemming from the FTC's investigation into its handling of user data privacy. 

Facebook had signaled to Wall Street it expected to pay up to $5 billion to settle the FTC investigation into its privacy practices. 

Responding to the report, Open Markets called the fine thoroughly inadequate. 

Related: Dems Hammer Facebook Over Doctored Pelosi Video 

“The FTC's settlement is woefully insufficient in light of Facebook’s persistent privacy violations,” said Open Markets Director of Enforcement Sally Hubbard in a statement. “The fine is a mere cost of doing business that makes breaking the law worth it for Facebook. To be effective, remedies must both curb Facebook’s widespread data collection and promote competition. Otherwise, Facebook will continue to fortify its monopoly power by surveilling users both on Facebook and off, and users can’t vote with their feet when Facebook violates their privacy.” 

Related: Sen. Hawley Unimpressed by Facebook Privacy Plans 

It was a year ago last March that the FTC confirmed it was investigating Facebook over its privacy and data security practices, saying it had "substantial concerns." Those likely only increased with subsequent revelations, including congressional concerns about its research project that incentivized teens and others to give up info (Project Atlas) and news that the company was sharing data with big tech and is planning to integrate WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook Messenger. 

The FTC investigation followed the revelation that Cambridge Analytica had used Facebook user data without their knowledge to build profiles it then sold to political campaigns, including the Trump campaign. Analytica reportedly used the information with most users having not given their permission for Facebook to share it with a third party. 

Related: OMI Says Multi-Billion Dollar Facebook Fine Is Not Enough 

Facebook is under an FTC consent decree dating from its 2011 settlement of FTC allegations it deceived consumers by not keeping its privacy promises. The FTC is authorized to enforce such pledges under its Sec. 5 (unfair and deceptive practices) authority. The commission was investigating whether Facebook had violated that agreement. 

That consent decree required Facebook to obtain a users' permission before sharing data, so that Cambridge Analytica data dump appeared to be a violation of the agreement.

“Given Facebook’s repeated privacy violations, it is clear that fundamental structural reforms are required," said Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.). "With the FTC either unable or unwilling to put in place reasonable guardrails to ensure that user privacy and data are protected, it’s time for Congress to act.”

Online media company Vice Media will look to move into the cable space with a new linear cable channel courtesy of A+E Networks, according to various published reports.

Vice Media, in which A+E invested $250 million last year, is expected to take over A+E’s H2 service in 2016, according to The Wall Street Journal. As part of the deal, Disney – which owns A+E Networks along with Hearst Corp. – will also invest in the channel, according to reports.

The deal would give A+E Networks a millennial-targeted service in Vice to complement its networks that skew older including Lifetime, A&E and History. The Journal reports than an announcement could come as early as Tuesday.

Representatives from A+E Networks could not be reached for comment.