News

WASHINGTON — In a statement Monday, Federal Communications Commissioner Michael Copps announced that he would vote to move forward FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski’s so-called Net Neutrality rules. The announcement appears to give the chairman the three votes necessary to pass his order.

WASHINGTON — After nearly a decade, Congress passed the Local Community Radio Act Saturday. The bill now awaits President Obama’s signature.

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission could be moving toward finalizing its review of the proposed Comcast-NBC merger as early as next week, according to press reports. The FCC, along with the Department of Justice, is charged with evaluating the merger’s impact on the public.

WASHINGTON – Friday morning, the House of Representatives passed a revised version of the Local Community Radio Act, a bill that would expand local radio to more communities across the nation. The revisions have addressed the concerns of the National Association of Broadcasters, who have released a statement in support of the legislation.

WASHINGTON – In a two-day marathon, the SavetheInternet.com Coalition allies and activists delivered 2 million petitions for real Net Neutrality to the Federal Communications Commission before the close of the public comment period on new FCC rules.

WASHINGTON — SavetheInternet.com Coalition allies and activists kicked off a marathon of petition deliveries at the Federal Communications Commission on Monday morning — with plans to drop off 50,000 signatures every hour until the public comment period closes on Tuesday.

WASHINGTON — More than 80 grassroots organizations, consumer groups, civil rights organizations, innovative businesses, technology experts and public interest advocates filed a letter with the Federal Communications Commission on Friday, signaling broad support for strong Network Neutrality rules.

WASHINGTON — Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission on Friday, urging Chairman Julius Genachowski to pass real Network Neutrality protections when the agency votes on the issue on Dec. 21.

Free Press Political Adviser Joel Kelsey made the following statement:

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission is expected to announce a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on retransmission-consent negotiations on Wednesday that would reportedly put in place a definition of good faith bargaining in cable-broadcast carriage disputes.

WASHINGTON – The Federal Communications Commission released its latest report on Internet access service on Wednesday. The report, based on the semi-annual Form 477 census of Internet providers, is intended to allow the agency to monitor broadband adoption, competition, subscriber trends and service speeds.