Local media access non-profit claims Open Internet ethos undermined
Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel
The Federal Communications Commission under the Obama Administration continues the Bush legacy of undermining net neutrality, according to local and national media policy experts, and they’re taking their case to federal court.
This week Access Humboldt, the local media access non-profit which runs public, education and government access channels in the Humboldt Bay area, petitioned the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for review of an FCC decision entitled “Preserving the Open Internet.” They claim the policy wrongly discriminates between Internet access via mobile devices like smart phones and Internet access via fixed platforms like cable and telephone, and that the rules are legally unsound.
“The FCC’s decision is just too weak,” Access Humboldt executive director Sean McLaughlin stated in a release. “The rules do not provide the strong foundation needed for truly open, innovative networks. So we have a duty to challenge them in Federal Court.”
Access Humboldt is represented by Media Access Project as part of a national effort to protect nondiscriminatory consumer access to all of the Internet’s legal content — one which includes the media reform non-profit Free Press.
“The rules passed last December are riddled with loopholes,” Free Press policy director Matt Wood stated. “They don’t do enough to stop the phone and cable companies from dividing the Internet into fast and slow lanes, and they fail to protect wireless users from discrimination that is already occurring in the marketplace and that will only get worse.”
Current rules do not allow Internet service providers (whether phone or cable) to let some websites load faster than others or block access to websites that do not pay off the ISP, a practice derided by critics as a “Pay-to-Play” system. The FCC does not require wireless ISPs to adhere to the same rules, which has triggered lawsuits from cable and phone company giants fearing their new competitors will benefit from not having to follow the same rules.
“Any commercial arrangements that lead to a small, closed ‘faux-Internet’ rather than the complete, all-encompassing internet goes against the basic human right of freedom of information and expression,” McLaughlin stated. “The Internet belongs to everyone and we need rules to protect it that support open access for everybody, regardless of income, technology or location.”
After petitions are filed by industry and public interest groups, the Federal Appeals Court will determine by lottery in which Circuit the case will be heard.
Access Humboldt’s self-described ‘policy wonk’ Sean McLaughlin knows what he’s speaking of regarding net neutrality, given his far reaching experience of community access on local and national levels. He frequently advises our Board of Supervisors, City Councils, and outside agencies regarding policy matters.
One need only to look as far as the professional Access Humboldt studio located at Eureka High School to see what Mr. McLaughlin, the Board, and a handful of paid staff and volunteers have accomplished in short order. It is nothing short of amazing.
I encourage you to take a look, call (#707-476-1798), or visit sometime. From the Access Humboldt website:
“Access Humboldt is a non-profit, community based, public service media organization serving the residents of Humboldt County. We provide air time free of charge on the (4) local cable TV channels and online, and offer media production training, facilities and equipment. We promote free speech and community media – by the people; for the people. Programming is accepted on a fair and nondiscriminatory basis, and will be aired without editorial control. ”
Anyone with an interest in media, production, programming—or even net neutrality– would benefit from accessing their services, information, and equipment offered for the low $25 yearly fee, whether you’re a novice or professional.