FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: August 16, 2010
Contact: Jenn Ettinger, media coordinator, 202-265-1490 x 35

WASHINGTON -- Today, senior members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee outlined a set of open Internet principles in a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski. The letter, from Reps. Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Jay Inslee (D-Wash.), Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) and Mike Doyle (D-Penn.), specifically addresses the Google-Verizon pact, and calls on the FCC to reassert its authority over broadband to protect Internet users.

Free Press Political Adviser Joel Kelsey made the following statement:

“Free Press applauds the Energy and Commerce Committee members for openly expressing support for FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski’s ‘Third Way’ proposal today. With their letter, Reps. Markey, Inslee, Eshoo and Doyle have taken a courageous stand for the American public by voicing their concern with the dangers of allowing industry to write its own rules.

“The Google-Verizon pact underscores the urgency with which the FCC must act. The industry titans are trying to convince policymakers in Washington to look the other way while carving up the Internet among a few big companies. Their policy proposal would leave consumers, innovators and entrepreneurs unprotected. The FCC must act swiftly to reassert its authority and define broadband as a telecommunications service, re-establishing the legal framework to create sound policy and to protect Net Neutrality once and for all.”

Free Press is a national, nonpartisan organization working to reform the media. Free Press does not support or oppose any candidate for public office. Through education, organizing and advocacy, we promote diverse and independent media ownership, strong public media and universal access to communications.