Terrific legal, advocacy and organizing work–bolstered by FCC public interest-focused Commissioners Copps and Adelstein–had led to an important decision by the Commission on the Comcast case. These groups deserve praise and support for their critical efforts.
It was almost ten years ago that I came upon a cable industry blueprint which reflected its determination to control how the Internet evolved. Much occurred since then, including important work by the Media Access Project and Consumer Federation of America to keep the pressure on the phone and cable companies. Our plan all along was to put enough pressure on via legal, regulatory and news media that the cable and phone industry couldn’t really implement its plans. Yesterday’s FCC decision marks, in a way, one coda for that effort. But we all know it will need to be ongoing.
One thought. It’s ironic that GOP Chairman Martin played such an important role here. It was, after all, Clinton FCC Chairman William Kennard who refused our call for an “open access” framework for broadband. Mr. Kennard went to work for the Carlyle Group buying media properties. Today he is also a major fundraiser/bundler for Senator Barack Obama’s president campaign. Public Citizen says Kennard has raised more than $500,000.
