Netroots Tell Obama and the FCC -- You Can't Just Let the Telecoms Steal the Internet [View All]

By Timothy Karr, Free Press
Posted on May 5, 2010, Printed on May 5, 2010
http://www.alternet.org/story/146735/

Leaders of the Internet's grassroots community have made it clear that inaction by the FCC is not an option when it comes to keeping the Web open and accessible.

In a series of posts and statements, bloggers for DailyKos, FireDogLake, OpenLeft.com, theAmerican Prospectand other influential sites have expressed dismay that FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski would consider abandoning the agency's role as watchdog over the Internet.

Bloggers were joined by online advocacy groups including MoveOn, CredoAction, ColorofChange.org, SavetheInternet.com and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), which are urging the FCC chair not to abdicate his responsibility to stop corporations from picking and choosing how users access information over the Internet.

A Washington Post story indicated that Genachowski was considering nothing to stop phone and cable companies from blocking access to websites and services. The chairman is weighing the agency's options in the aftermath of a federal appeals court decision that undercut the FCC's authority to protect Internet openness and ensure universal access.



http://www.alternet.org/news/146735/netroots_tell_obama_and_the_fcc_--_you_can%27t_just_let_the_telecoms_steal_the_internet