Mediaboss Marketing

With major media featuring fake news, Net Neutrality is key to keeping the Internet free and open, letting users access all content without restrictions, limitations, or discrimination, an online level playing field for everyone.

First Amendment rights depend on it. Without Net Neutrality, consumer choice will be lost, stolen by corporate predators, making the Internet look like cable TV, letting communication giants decide what web sites, content and applications are available at what cost.

Net Neutrality is essential to assure no content is favored over others. Electronic Frontier Foundations (EFF) legal director Corynne McSherry expressed concern about Trumps new FCC director Ajit Pai taking steps to undermine Net Neutrality protections, adding:

If so, we, and millions of Internet users, will do what is necessary to defend a free and open Internet. Separately, EFF raised concerns about FCC opposition to encryption under Pai, urging tech companies to defend and preserve it along with Net Neutrality and privacy rights.

FreePress.net said everything (it) fought for at the FCC is in jeopardy under Pai. Previously he was a corporate lawyer for Verizon Communications, involved in regulatory and broadband issues, among others.

At the FCC, he held several positions in its Office of General Counsel, most prominently as deputy general counsel. He also practiced law at Washington-based Jenner & Block, specializing in communications practice.

In 2011, Obama named him an FCC commissioner. He strongly opposes regulations, prioritizes their removal. In 2015, he opposed the FCCs Open Internet Order. Last December, he said Net Neutralitys days are numbered.

In January, Free Press CEO Craig Aaron blasted Pai, saying hes been on the wrong side of just about every major issue that has come before the FCC during his tenure.

Hes never met a mega-merger he didnt like or a public safeguard he didnt try to undermine. Hes been an inveterate opponent of Net Neutrality, expanded broadband access for low-income families, broadband privacy, prison-phone justice, media diversity and more.

He looks out for corporate interests exclusively. Their lobbyists are thrilled about his appointment.

Millions of Americans from across the political spectrum have looked to the FCC to protect their rights to connect and communicate and cheered decisions like the historic Net Neutrality ruling, and Pai threatens to undo all of that important work.

Digital democracy is at risk with him as FCC chairman. Net Neutrality is a defining issue, preserving it vital.

Its the last frontier of free and open communication space.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached atlendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III.

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site atsjlendman.blogspot.com.

Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.

The rest is here:
Online Digital Democracy at Risk: Trump's FCC Chairman Threatens Net Neutrality - Center for Research on Globalization