Under Threat: A Free and Open Internet
Commercial media interests led by phone and cable giants and government hacks at all levels continue to seek ways to make the Internet a limited-access medium under corporate control, with inevitable anti-democratic political and economic consequences.
by Stephen Lendman
THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2010 | [print_link]
FIRST SOME BACKGROUND. As a candidate, Obama pledged support for “network neutrality to preserve the benefits of open competition on the Internet.” As president, he reneged across the board, including for Internet freedom and openness, Boston.com writer Joelle Tessler headlining, “FCC votes to reconsider broadband regulations,” saying:
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PHOTO: Plaque commemorating the names of Internet pioneers.
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At issue is a US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia April 2010 ruling that the agency exceeded its authority over phone and cable giants, casting doubt on the future of Net Neutrality.
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Opponents disagree, wanting Congress and the courts to decide, both stacked with pro-business types, sure to reward phone and cable giants the way they satisfied bankers with financial reform, Genachowski saying:
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On October 22, 2009, S. 1836: Internet Freedom Act of 2009 was introduced, an anti-Net Neutrality bill. It was referred to committee, not approved, or passed.
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The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) Threatening Net Neutrality, Consumer Privacy, and Civil Liberties: An Update
On the pretext of protecting intellectual property from infringement and counterfeiters, it’s about fast-tracking Internet distribution and information technology rules to subvert Net Neutrality, privacy, and personal freedoms – global rules for unrestricted free trade, undermining universal, affordable free access, civil liberties, legitimate commerce, and the right of sovereign nations to go their own way.
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PHOTO (left) COMCAST CEO Brian Roberts. Comcast has been prominent among the media giants pursuing Internet privatization. His company—a monopoly like all cable systems— is rated as one of the worst consumer deals in America.
Until April, negotiations were kept secret, only a May 2008 WikiLeaks report getting out saying:
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Resolving these differences is at issue. Another involves the following:
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Internet-Threatening Congressional Legislation
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It would establish a White House Office for Cyberspace Policy and a National Center for Cybersecurity and Communications, working collaboratively with business to establish cybersecurity requirements online, through telecommunications networks, and other electronic infrastructure.
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In an introductory press release, Lieberman said:
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On June 23, in a letter to Lieberman, Collins and Carper, the following organizations raised serious civil liberties concerns:
- the ACLU
- American Library Association
- American Association of Law Libraries
- Association of Research Libraries
- Bill of Rights Defense Committee
- Citizens Committee for the Rights to Keep and Bear Arms.
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STEPHEN LENDMAN lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.