Beware the Ides of March for the Internet’s future. That’s because we notice that cable giant Comcast and the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) lobbying group are the sponsors of the “Internet Video Policy:The Future of a New TV Medium” symposium scheduled for March 18-19. Super big media lobbyist (and former FCC chair) Dick Wiley is giving the keynote .
Here’s how the session on network neutrality is described in the program:
“Unlimited Access to Content versus Network Owner Control: Dialing Down the Rhetoric on Network Neutrality
No issue in communications generates more emotion – or more vitriol – than network neutrality. Behind the scary scenarios painted on the one side and the indignant denials on the other side are genuine questions about how to balance the benefits of an unlimited Internet against network owners’ rights to manage their businesses and technological infrastructure in a rational way. This discussion will screen out the noise and highlight the real network-related problems, potential and prospects emerging from the new Internet TV medium.”
The cast of characters lined up for this event, for the most part, won’t offer a far-reaching analysis designed to enhance the public interest in the broadband era. It underscores how the permanent communications policy K Street lobbying crowd will have to be seriously challenged–no matter who is next living in the White House or runs the Congress.
Jeff,
I saw your blog post slamming The Internet Video Policy Symposium as being an
“anti-net neutrality” event and a big lobbyist put-on. Given that you are seeminlgy
in favor of free speech on the Internet, it’s weird that you offer readers no
ability to comment on your blog posts. I’m hoping you will post this email for me
in your comment section, unedited, instead.
It might have been helpful if you had the facts available before you popped off.
First, I organized this event. I picked the speakers. I specifically wanted to
have a rational discussion of the issues from folks on all sides of the issues. I
called a host of companies and organizations on all sides of the issue to get input
on which speakers would represent a good mix of views.
NCTA and Comcast are sponsors because they are interested in the dialog and they
took the time to listen to me and my partner, Reed Business. We have attempted to
recruit other companies, including the biggest Silicon Valley players who advocate
net neutrality regulations, as sponsors, but they won’t even return the phone calls.
It seems they don’t have any interest in the event, for reasons unknown.
I have attempted to recruit many prominent speakers in favor of net neutrality, some
of whom are unavailable due to conflicts and some of whom I haven’t heard from. We
do have Jonathan Taplin, who is on EFF’s board and is favor of net neutrality, on
our net neutrality panel and we are actively looking for other speakers. He knows
that I’m seeking both viewpoints and I’m sure he’s offended at the suggestion that
he’s being used for an anti-net neutrality purpose. We have also invited to speak
on this panel a key Hill staffer who is helping Rep. Markey shepherd his net
neutrality bill,
If you want to put the word out to your friends that we want serious experts on net
neutrality at this event, by all means do so. But first, get your facts right.
Cynthia Brumfield
Emerging Media Dynamics, Inc.
240-235-1994 (o)
301-928-4671 (p)
240-235-6282 (f)
Cynthia.
The line-up is very pro-media industry and consolidation. It is narrowly
framed, features prominent anti-public interest lobbyists and their corporate-backed experts. That’s why Comcast and NCTA are willing to
support it. This is not a well-developed agenda that can raise the key issues around the emerged video broadband economy.
Comments are submitted at my blog and then approved by me, to avoid spam.
I assume your comment is waiting there and I will post it.
Regards,
Jeff