FCC Chief Stands with Public Interest in Support of Net Neutrality

By Tim Karr, August 26, 2009

The Federal Communications Commission will stand with the public interest to prevent Internet providers from blocking, slowing or in any way degrading lawful content on the Web.

In an interview with TheHill.com, FCC’s new Chairman Genachowski said, “One thing I would say so that there is no confusion out there is that this FCC will support Net Neutrality and will enforce any violation of Net Neutrality principles.”

The statement seems a direct reply to Comcast, which was sanctioned by the FCC in 2008 for actively interfering with users' ability to access popular video, photo and music sharing applications.

The cable giant has since thumbed its nose at the decision -- refusing to admit that the blocking of users in any way threatens the free flow of information that's become the hallmark of an open Internet. In its appeal of the FCC sanctions, Comcast claims that the agency lacks the legal authority to act against ISPs that block content.

Genachowski thinks otherwise. The Chair was tapped in March by President Barack Obama to head the Federal Communications Commission. The choice was seen as another indication that leadership in Washington is moving to protect the free flowing Internet from those seeking to become gatekeepers to new media.

In addition to planned Net Neutrality enforcement at the FCC, the House of Representative introduced a Net Neutrality bill, The Internet Freedom Preservation Act, earlier this month.

Prior to joining the FCC, Genachowski anchored the drafting of candidate Obama's comprehensive media policy agenda that promotes fast and neutral Internet connections and more competitive choices for the consumer.