Press Release
Industry Letters Undercut FCC’s Ability to Help Low-Income and Rural Americans
Contact: Timothy Karr, 201-533-8838
WASHINGTON – Free Press responded today to the circulation on Capitol Hill of several letters written by the phone and cable industry and signed by members of Congress that express opposition to the Federal Communications Commission’s proposal for light-touch oversight of Internet providers. The FCC’s proposal would protect consumers online and ensure that the agency could carry out key parts of the National Broadband Plan.
Joseph Torres, Free Press government relations manager, said:
“In putting their names to these letters, members of Congress are taking it on faith that phone and cable companies have the best interests of Americans in mind -- and will protect Internet openness and promote universal access without oversight. That's a huge mistake. Comcast and AT&T can no better police themselves to protect the Internet than BP can police itself to protect the oceans.
"The members who signed the industry letters are drastically undercutting the FCC's ability to make fast, affordable and open Internet available to everyone in America. And though they purport to be interested in expanding broadband deployment and adoption, the letters in fact take a position against the interests of rural and low-income communities.”
Free Press has created a handy tool annotating the letters with facts they omit. Learn the truth here:
http://www.savetheinternet.com/node/30593
http://www.savetheinternet.com/node/30594
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Free Press Action Fund is the advocacy arm of Free Press, a national, nonpartisan organization working to reform the media. Through education, organizing and advocacy, we promote diverse and independent media ownership, strong public media, and universal access to communications. Learn more at www.freepress.net
Joseph Torres, Free Press government relations manager, said:
“In putting their names to these letters, members of Congress are taking it on faith that phone and cable companies have the best interests of Americans in mind -- and will protect Internet openness and promote universal access without oversight. That's a huge mistake. Comcast and AT&T can no better police themselves to protect the Internet than BP can police itself to protect the oceans.
"The members who signed the industry letters are drastically undercutting the FCC's ability to make fast, affordable and open Internet available to everyone in America. And though they purport to be interested in expanding broadband deployment and adoption, the letters in fact take a position against the interests of rural and low-income communities.”
Free Press has created a handy tool annotating the letters with facts they omit. Learn the truth here:
http://www.savetheinternet.com/node/30593
http://www.savetheinternet.com/node/30594
###
Free Press Action Fund is the advocacy arm of Free Press, a national, nonpartisan organization working to reform the media. Through education, organizing and advocacy, we promote diverse and independent media ownership, strong public media, and universal access to communications. Learn more at www.freepress.net
