FCC Action Will NOT Protect Free Speech Online

[HomerRamone]

http://www.freepress.net/blog/2014/02/19/fcc-action-will-not-protect-free-speech-online

In the wake of a Jan. 14 court ruling that struck down the Federal Communications Commission’s
Net Neutrality rules, we’ve pushed the FCC to reclassify broadband — a simple fix that would allow it to craft new rules that would stand up to judicial scrutiny.

But on Wednesday the agency took a much more timid path, saying it would simply gather input on whether it has the authority to prevent phone and cable companies from blocking or otherwise discriminating against content online.

Chairman Wheeler talked today about the need to restore our legal protections and ensure we can communicate freely online. But the agency is doing nothing at this point that would actually help Internet users when Internet service providers are blocking or slowing down online traffic. If the Internet is to continue to thrive, we need decisive action and clear protections under the law.

<...>

If the FCC ultimately fails to act decisively, the open Internet will be damaged for good. The American people want the FCC to stand up for them — and reclassifying broadband is the best way to protect all of us. That's the message millions of people have sent the FCC and the Obama administration. Our voices will get louder unless and until policymakers in Washington take action and protect free speech online:

http://act.freepress.net/sign/internet_FCC_court_decision2/

[thatgemguy]

1. Today's FCC

will only protect corporate profits. Public interests be damned.

[woo me with science]

2. This administration does not work for us.

They made that clear long ago.