Today is September 15th, and the Federal Communications Commission is
taking public comments on its fake net neutrality proposal until midnight tonight.
It’s impossible to emphasize how crucial it is to speak out on this, as the very existence of Daily Kos and other independent websites is at stake. Unless the FCC regulates the internet as a public utility (which it can under Title II of the Telecommunications Act), Big Telecom will be free to charge a “fast lane” for websites that can afford it.
As Howard Dean once said: “The Internet is the most empowering and democratizing invention since the printing press.” We must keep it fair and equitable for everyone.
Over 1.3 million comments have been submitted to the FCC to date. Moreover, 379,020 Daily Kos members have sent nearly one million actions to Congress, the president and the FCC since we started this campaign. Back in July, our members sent over 41,175 hand-typed and personalized messages to the FCC—which are far more effective. Now, we just need to bring it home.
Please send your message before tonight, and read below the fold what we have planned starting tomorrow …
More comments have been submitted to the FCC in favor of net neutrality than any other issue in its history, but we know that is only half the battle.
The next step is what the FCC will do about all these comments, and incredibly Chairman Tom Wheeler has no plan to hold public hearings.
Instead, he will start a series of “roundtable discussions” which include more experts and lobbyists—with little room for public participation. These are in no way a replacement for real public engagement on the issue of protecting an open internet.
Tomorrow, our coalition is holding a rally at the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, DC—demanding that Wheeler hold public hearings in cities across the country. Only by keeping this issue in the public spotlight can we stop Big Telecom from taking over.
When: Tues., Sept. 16, from 11:45 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th St. SW, Washington, DC
Bring: Plenty of energy and a big, bold sign with your message to the FCC
Meanwhile, 13 U.S. senators and 37 members of Congress—including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi—have come out in favor of regulating the internet as a public utility, with many more on the fence or favorable to the issue.
If we have to go the legislative route and bypass the FCC, so be it. This week, advocates will also be taking the fight to the Hill in a coordinate effort to get more legislators to come out in favor of Title II net neutrality.
But first, we need you to send your message to the FCC.