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The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Liz Rose, Communications Director, 202-265-1490 x 32

Industry Letters Undercut FCC's Ability to Help Low-Income and Rural Americans

WASHINGTON

Free Press responded today to the circulation on
Capitol Hill of several letters written by the phone and cable industry
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, these 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."

Use these tools to learn the truth about the Green and
Stearns letters:

https://www.savetheinternet.com/node/30593

https://www.savetheinternet.com/node/30594

Free Press was created to give people a voice in the crucial decisions that shape our media. We believe that positive social change, racial justice and meaningful engagement in public life require equitable access to technology, diverse and independent ownership of media platforms, and journalism that holds leaders accountable and tells people what's actually happening in their communities.

(202) 265-1490