Matsui and Leahy Introduce Bill to Stop the Payola Internet
WASHINGTON -- On Tuesday, Rep. Doris Matsui and Sen. Patrick Leahy introduced the Online Competition and Consumer Choice Act, which would prohibit paid prioritization of Internet traffic. Last month, the Federal Communications Commission voted to consider new rules that would let Internet service providers charge content companies for priority treatment, relegating the rest of the Internet to a slower tier of service.
Free Press Action Fund Associate Policy Director Chancellar Williams made the following statement:
"The best way to stop paid prioritization and protect real Net Neutrality is for the FCC to reclassify broadband service providers as common carriers, and they should move swiftly to do so. But we’re pleased that members of Congress are speaking out against the dangerous practice of paid prioritization. Representative Matsui and Senator Leahy are trying to solve the serious problems posed by FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler’s current proposal, which would pave the way to a pay-to-play Internet."
