Shill 'civil rights' group backed by the telecom industry exposed

[marmar]

(The Intercept) The Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council, an organization that says its purpose is to advance “equal opportunity and civil rights” in the media, has faced criticism in the past that the organization acts as little more than a corporate front group.

Two positions taken recently by MMTC suggest that such criticism is accurate: The positions contradict one another, but both reflect the desires of MMTC’s funders.

In August, MMTC joined an industry-led lawsuit against net neutrality, filing a brief in support of the U.S. Telecom Association’s lawsuit to overturn net neutrality. The MMTC brief claims that net neutrality will deepen the digital divide, causing millions of disadvantaged communities to continue to lack Internet service because purported lower-cost solutions that violate open Internet principles will be blocked.

But just months ago, MMTC lobbied for a radio industry-backed rule that rests on the assumption that Americans already enjoy equal access to the Internet. In an April 13 letter to the Federal Communications Commission, MMTC supported a petition by radio station companies that would allow broadcasters to move sponsorship information from on-air announcements to an Internet database. ..................(more)

https://theintercept.com/2015/08/31/big-telecom-funded-civil-rights-group-joins-lawsuit-block-net-neutrality-instantly-contradicts/

[Baitball Blogger]

1. If not shills, many promising civil rights leaders get sidetracked

by shiny baubles dangled by chamber types. They think they are still on task, but, seriously, when has driving a BMW and attending beauty pageants advanced the causes of ordinary people?

So, good article for exposing the fraudulent purpose.

[MisterP]

3. that happened with Andy Young and WalMart, and that FL NAACP that the oillionaires bought out

to say solar's a "white thing"

[Baitball Blogger]

4. Fl NAACP

I knew there had to be a reason why the forces that usually champion minority issues are not as proactive in this state as in other states.

But I am thankful I had an opportunity to see how the infiltration occurs. What breaks my heart is that these people really started out with good intentions. Then, before you know it, they get absorbed into the social networks that are highly motivated to protect their turf. So, whatever confidences that are passed on to the other side, it does our side absolutely no good.

Never does any good to become best chums with leaders who have a shady past, no matter how much of a shaker and mover they are today.

[MisterP]

5. here's the LAT story

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-solar-race-20150209-story.html
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027129212

[Baitball Blogger]

6. What a disaster.

It never helps the credibility of any organization's reasoning when it becomes an opponent to a good cause, when someone can track down donations.

"Tax records show the institute gave $10,000 to the National Black Caucus of State Legislators in 2013, the most recent year for which records are available. In the two previous years, the institute gave $17,500 to the National Policy Alliance. It contributed $120,000 to organizations run by the Congressional Black Caucus between 2008 and 2013.

The Florida chapter of the NAACP acknowledges utilities are among its donors, but does not disclose how much they give."

It just means more work to break misconceptions.

[FlatBaroque]

2. I find this BS

just as deplorable as the right wing douchebag O'Queef.