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Congress Strikes Major Blow to Media Democracy

April 26th, 2006
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From Media Policy Blog

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce considered amendments to the Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act of 2006. There were a few positive moments, despite the overall somberness of the afternoon as the majority party pressed the telco agenda and defeated public interest amendment after public interest amendment. Read a good summary of the events below from http://saveaccess.org.
There were voices of reason who spoke out to support Community Television and to support Network Neutrality. A couple of those brave legislators are pictured here.
Congressman Edward Markey from MA introduced a Network Neutrality amendment that, despite a round of spirited debate as well as pleas from the minority party , was defeated 34 to 22. Supporters of the amendment pointed out the large organizing and advocacy effort millions have made on behalf of preserving the openness of the Internet. The Congresswoman from California, Rep. Anna Eshoo even referenced their role in shaping the future of the Internet. She spoke of the idea that history may not look too kindly upon the committee that is looking to undermine the openness of the Internet by fully privatizing the network, effectively dismantling the long-held public policy that created the greatest democratic medium of communication and commerce the world has seen.

-MPB

From SaveAccess.org:

“Today, consumers won yet another decisive victory with committee passage of the video choice bill.” - Verizon Lobbyist Peter Davidson

Despite the Telco spin above, the passage of COPE will have a devastating impact on public interest issues in telecommunication policy. Today, years of consumer protections and rules regulating industry ethics were either setback or summarily ignored.

The House Commerce Committee, by an unsurprising vote of 42 to 12 passed the COPE Bill. The Bill will now move to the full House for a vote. It’s likely that the Bill’s sponsor, Rep. Barton, will lobby hard to prevent additional amendments in the full House version of the Bill.

Among the casualties today were these amendments;
1) Anti-Discrimination Amendment
An amendment to a national video franchising
bill that would prevent discrimination of service based on race, religion, sex, or national origin the amendment was defeated 29-23.

2) Build-Out Amendment (Red-lining)
An amendment that would have set build-out requirements for new franchises under a national video franchise scheme being considered by Congress. Defeated 29-22, introduced by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.)
A weaker amendment passed, but since it set no timetable provisions concerning ‘build-out’, it will be nearly impossible to enforce.

3) Baldwin Amendment
An amendment that would detail and preserve Public, Educational, Governmental Access Channel (PEG) provisions. Defeated 20-19 (estimate)

4) The Markey Amendment
An amendment supporting and protecting Net Neutrality was voted down by a vote of 34 to 22.

Summary: Virtually all the amendments that would protect the public interest were defeated, this is unacceptable.

We will continue to post updates as we receive them, and a final voting scorecard when available. Please continue send your emails to Congress!

Recent News
Save the Internet press release House Ignores Public, Sells Out the Internet
B&C’s article House Commerce Approves National Franchise Bill
B&C’s article Telecom Bill Gets Cable-Friendlier
FAIR’s article Saving Independent Media

Community Media, Digital Divide, Media Policy, Net Neutrality

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