News

WASHINGTON — In an interview Thursday with CNBC, former FCC Chairman Michael Powell called current Chairman Julius Genachowski’s decision to change the way broadband services are treated under law “the most massive expansion of regulatory authority over the Internet ever.”

WASHINGTON – The telecommunications giants released predictable reactions to the FCC’s measured announcement on Thursday about its intent to consider broadband as a telecommunications service. Below are Free Press’ responses to statements from the big phone and cable companies.

WASHINGTON — Reacting to reports about the Federal Communications Commission’s announcement today on the commission’s oversight of broadband transmission, Free Press Research Director S. Derek Turner said, “By putting the FCC’s regulatory framework back in harmony with congressional intent, Chairman Genachowski is reversing one of the worst deregulatory mistakes of the past decade.”

WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski urging the agency to consider “all viable options,” including reclassifying broadband services as a “telecommunications service” in order to protect broadban

WASHINGTON — On a call today with reporters, Josh Silver, Free Press President and CEO, issued the following statement:

“We at Free Press were stunned to hear that the Federal Communications Commission might abandon authority over the communications platform of the 21st century. It is a testament to the overwhelming influence of the phone and cable lobbying juggernaut that this is even an issue.”

WASHINGTON – Free Press commends Julius Genachowski, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, for stating his intent to move to reclassify broadband as a Title II telecommunications service.

WASHINGTON – According to an article in the Washington Post, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski is “leaning toward” a decision not to “reclassify” broadband to re-establish FCC authority over the nation’s Internet service providers.

WASHINGTON – Free Press Managing Director Craig Aaron will testify today before the Federal Communications Commission about new strategies for supporting public media in the digital era.

WASHINGTON – Free Press today congratulated Comcast for the dubious distinction of being dubbed the “Worst Company in America” by the readers of Consumerist.com.

WASHINGTON — Members of the SavetheInternet.com coalition collected nearly 250,000 signatures on petitions asking the Federal Communications Commission to take swift action to protect the open Internet.