News

WASHINGTON – After a series of secret meetings this week between the Federal Communications Commission and top industry lobbyists was revealed by the Wall Street Journal, FCC Chief of Staff Edward Lazarus tried to explain away the backroom meetings in a post on the FCC’s blog.

WASHINGTON — Today, Free Press, Bloomberg LP., Communications Workers of America and other public interest, consumer and business groups objected to Comcast’s proposed takeover of NBC Universal in a letter to the Justice Department and the Federal Communications Commission.

WASHINGTON — Responding to reports that the Federal Communications Commission held a closed-door meeting with industry representatives to broker a deal on the future of the open Internet, Free Press President and CEO Josh Silver issued the following statement:

WASHINGTON – The House and Senate Commerce Committees announced today that they intend to hold a series of stakeholder meetings on communications policy issues, including the Federal Communications Commission’s authority over broadband.

In response, Free Press Policy Counsel Aparna Sridhar made the following statement:

WASHINGTON — In a letter today, Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), along with Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.), requested hearings on the “legal validity and policy consequences” of the Federal Communications Commission’s efforts to restore its own authority over broadband providers. Rep. Barton claimed the effort will hinder the free market and threaten investment, jobs and broadband deployment.

WASHINGTON – Tomorrow, the Federal Communications Commission will consider a Notice of Inquiry that will ask for public comment on the best legal framework for carrying out the agency’s National Broadband Plan to bring fast, open and affordable Internet access to all Americans.

WASHINGTON – Free Press filed comments on Monday supporting the Federal Communications Commission’s proposed changes to improve CableCARD rules for TV set-top boxes. In 1996, Congress ordered the FCC to implement rules to allow third-party devices like TiVo access to cable video streams, in order to compete in the set-top box market.

WASHINGTON – Today, four key senators, including Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet; Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.); Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.); and Sen.

WASHINGTON – In a new video released today, a group of Internet celebrities with millions of online viewers and followers added their voices to the fight for the free and open Internet.

WASHINGTON – AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson said today that if the Federal Communications Commission moves forward with its “third way” proposal to restore its oversight of broadband services, the company may cut back spending on its U-Verse home television and Internet service.