NHMC Joins Hundreds of Activists at Rally for Internet Freedom at FCC Meeting

Brian Pacheco, NHMC

(213) 718-0732

The FCC is launching its formal rulemaking process to respond to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Verizon v. FCC, which struck down the FCC's 2010 Open Internet Rules preventing Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from blocking or discriminating against content online. For the next four months, the FCC will seek public comment on how best to prevent discrimination or blocking online, whether mobile and wired connections should be subject to the same rules, and whether companies should be allowed to pay for an Internet fast lane to consumers. Chairman Wheeler, while voicing his support for strong Open Internet rules, has expressed his preference for new rules based on legal authority that would require ISPs to be allowed to enter into individualized service negotiations with websites and services - including the possibility of new priority service that would allow certain companies to reach customers by way of an Internet fast lane.

Many have expressed grave concerns about this approach, including dozens of members of Congress, millions of individuals, hundreds of tech and Internet companies, investors, television content creators, and well-known artists, actors and musicians. Late Wednesday, 36 members of the House of Representatives, led by Congressmen Grijalva and Ellison wrote to FCC leadership to express their opinion that the FCC should reclassify ISPs as common carriers and base new Open Internet rules on the FCC's Title II authority. The following statement can be attributed to Michael Scurato, policy director for the National Hispanic Media Coalition: "The last few weeks have been truly extraordinary when it comes to demonstrating the power that can be harnessed when individuals raise their voices and hold their government accountable. And we've already made a difference. Support for strong Open Internet rules that can protect consumers and withstand judicial scrutiny has never been higher. As a result, the process at the FCC has been altered so that we can have this conversation on our own terms. However, as Commissioner Rosenworcel pointed out in her remarks, we know what's past is prologue and the real discussion has just begun. The Chairman, through this process, has put a thumb on the scale in favor of the use of legal authority that has already lost twice in court. Without the proper authority, we can have no rules, and the Internet ecosystem that has benefited consumers, ISPs, and Internet companies alike will devolve into a system controlled by gatekeepers. Everybody who cares about maintaining an Open Internet must continue to make their voices heard at the FCC and in Congress."