ADVISORY: Free Press and Other Open-Internet Advocates to Discuss Net Neutrality Arguments Ahead of Federal Court Date

WASHINGTON — Leading petitioners in the federal court case to save Net Neutrality will hold a telephone press-conference call on Wed., Jan. 30, to discuss their case against the Federal Communications Commission’s repeal of open-internet safeguards. Oral arguments in the case will be heard at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on Fri., Feb. 1.

In March 2018, Free Press filed its case against the FCC, which decided in December 2017 to reverse the agency’s 2015 decision creating strong Net Neutrality protections grounded in Title II of the Communications Act. Free Press’ case was joined with challenges from other stakeholders, including 23 state attorneys general, other governmental entities, and dozens of public-interest groups and companies like the National Hispanic Media Coalition, the Open Technology Institute, Public Knowledge, Etsy, and Mozilla.

A powerful public backlash met the FCC decision to strip away open-internet protections, with large majorities of voters from both parties saying they support a return to the 2015 safeguards.

WHAT: Briefing/Press Call on Legal Challenge to the FCC on Net Neutrality
CALL: Contact Timothy Karr at (201) 533-8838 for information on joining the call
WHEN: Wed., Jan. 30, 9:30 a.m. PT / 12:30 p.m. ET
WHO:  Denelle Dixon (COO of  Mozilla), Chip Pickering (CEO of INCOMPAS), Tony Bowden (Fire Chief of Santa Clara County), Sarah Morris (Deputy Director of the Open Technology Institute), Matt Wood (Policy Director of Free Press) and Chris Lewis (Vice President of Government Affairs for Public Knowledge)

Free Press Policy Director Matt Wood made the following statement:

“Free Press and our fellow petitioners have a rock-solid legal case against the FCC’s repeal of the Net Neutrality rules. Chairman Pai failed to assemble a shred of credible evidence against classifying internet-access providers as common carriers under the law. The FCC ignored the nature of the service these providers offer to internet users, along with the fact that the 2015 rules were working for everyone — including ISPs, which continued to invest in and deploy broadband.

“Pai also ignored procedural flaws in the FCC’s decision-making, and irregularities in the agency’s own commenting procedures. The docket shows there was a genuine and substantive public outcry opposing Pai’s decision and supporting the Net Neutrality rules, but there were also fraudulent submissions that the FCC refuses to investigate.

“Net Neutrality supporters are gathering momentum on both legal and legislative fronts. Millions of people spoke out against the FCC decision because they recognize how crucial the open internet is to promoting racial justice, free expression, innovation and economic opportunity. Lawmakers in Congress and the states have signed up by the hundreds to protect Net Neutrality. The court will have its say as it hears more about the legal and factual errors underlying the FCC’s wrongheaded repeal.”