In the aftermath of the April 2010 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in Comcast v. FCC, the Federal Communications Commission is ill-equipped to achieve America’s most important broadband goals. The decision jeopardizes the FCC’s ability to implement proposals to bring broadband to all Americans, to promote competition and to preserve the open Internet.
Free Press filed an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief in FCC v. AT&T, Inc., which will be heard by the Supreme Court on Jan. 19, 2011. The case asks the Court to decide whether corporations may claim “personal privacy” rights when trying to prevent mandatory disclosure of documents under the Freedom of Information Act.
The Commission must adopt rules to protect consumers, promote competition, and foster innovation on the open Internet, as soon as possible, with no further delays.
The recent breakdown in negotiations between Cablevision and News Corp. for retransmission of Fox broadcast stations in New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia presages the intensification of retransmission consent disputes that will continue to put consumers in the crosshairs of industry infighting.
The issues of wireless neutrality and managed services were raised and debated in great detail in this open proceeding over ten months ago. We have no doubt that this current Notice will generate very similar responses to those already submitted.
Free Press has filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission asking the agency to investigate the growing use of undisclosed commercials in TV newscasts. Free Press has long been concerned about the use of corporate and government propaganda in the media.
One year ago, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski delivered his first major speech on Network Neutrality — the top issue on President Obama’s technology policy platform.
Sinclair Broadcast Group is in the business of informing the American electorate, and makes its profits using public property — the public airwaves. These airwaves are granted, free of charge, with the understanding that the caretaker of these airwaves will serve the public interest.
