Last week, the Associated Press reported that Kevin Martin, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission said he would recommend that the other four commissioners rule that cable giant Comcast had violated the agency’s principles regarding open access to the Internet. While the ruling is not final, the statement marks a major victory for Free Press, a non-profit advocacy group that filed the original complaint against Comcast, the nation’s largest cable company.
On Monday, I interviewed Marvin Ammori, general counsel for the Free Press. We talked about what happened last week, what happens next, and why we should all care.
For background, the original complaint is here. And more background on the history of the fight can be found here.
Going forward, Martin needs two more commissioners to sign on to his proposed decision within the next couple of weeks for it to become official. While the FCC is not recommending a fine, Ammori said his group would be satisfied with the ruling that Martin has proposed.
6 comments
You da man
Marvin!!! Keep fighting!
Jul 14, 2008
Keith Richard Radford Jr
Thank you for the MP3 and coverage of the information.
Jul 15, 2008
Dale Lanan
Hopefully a clear and powerful message will be sent by the FCC to keep internet access open and free. It’s going to take innovation, hard work and courage to overcome the obstacles which have built up over time that now threaten the common good in such a huge way. Thanks for the update about what’s going on. This is huge.
Jul 16, 2008
Dale Lanan
It’s now almost 3yrs later and the FCC has done a pathetic job of sort of protecting free speech on the internet. The internet remains defined as a service provided by internet service providers instead of having been restored to the classification of communications which it had been before the Bush era FCC redefined it as a corporate asset. The Supreme Court is likely to dash any hope the FCC can regulate the internet to any great degree and even now the FCC has said the wireless internet is largely not bound by government oversight but in corporate hands instead.
I feel the ability to go on line could be taken away at any time.
Apr 17, 2011
Dale Lanan
I watch the internet for accuracy of reporting and use entries to online conversations to identify what different search engines highlight or hide.
It seems that getting too close to changing direction of thinking toward keeping Earth alive by hitting a keynote phrase or something triggers elimination of comment and the casting of things into the chaos of lies..
Fact is Earth is going over the top in greenhouse with Arctic Sea ice loss.
It, in extreme degree will trigger melt of ice crystal holding CH4 in place.
anonymous friends in high places have taken notice of internet feed stuff.
Corporate power-that-be have taken notice and attempt to curtail internet.
Anonymous upload capability remains outlet for truth threat to Corporate.
Somethings’ happening here and in showdown with whole Earth at stake..
Jul 12, 2012
Dale Lanan
I’m frightened, almost too frightened to even look at Arctic News site and to see what’s happening now with findings of science on extent of coverup and neglect of trying to keep ice on Arctic and methane release at bay.. It seems a runaway has been being covered up and Earth is in a very dire danger of terminal heat..
Now if I Google my first name I can track what’s linked to first order magnitude thoughts on mind of people in power albeit not directly in charge of ‘hard power’.
Thoughts need to get out there and people need to know the need for their voice.. The power of what they say if they mean no harm and speak sincere from the heart.. Speak up for the little guys and with courage and hope’s alive. I sure hope people wake up and can help head off current course now.
The power of the internet to get things going and to encourage peace is great and peace is needed to make a undying, unquenchable desire to live..
To have chance to alter Earth’s fate and to make the transition fun and real..
Oct 15, 2012