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GOP Not Happy FCC Is Keeping Neutrality Rules Secret

The FCC is apparently slated to release and vote on its new Title-II based net neutrality rules on February 26, and the GOP is not happy that the agency refuses to share the rules ahead of time. Senator John Thune and Representative Fred Upton, who are busy promoting the broadband industry's own neutrality rules aimed at derailing more meaningful protections, state that they want the FCC's rules made public because they very much care about the public's participation in the conversation:

quote:
“Given the significance of the matter and the strong public participation in the commission’s proceeding to date, we believe the public and industry stakeholders alike should have the opportunity to review the text of any proposed order or rules prior to commission action,” Senate committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.), House committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) and Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) — the head of the House Communications Subcommittee — said in a letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler on Thursday.

“Limited access to information is beneficial to no one — not to the consumers directly affected by commission action, not to the industries regulated by the rules and not to the commissioners seeking to make information decisions taking public feedback into consideration," they added.
On the one hand yes, the FCC's rules should be made public so that everyone can have a conversation about the specific wording. On the other hand, you can understand the FCC's logic in that revealing the rules to neutrality opponents -- who will fight them no matter what the "public conversation" entails -- only acts to give them a running start in undermining them.

Most recommended from 30 comments



camper
just visiting this planet
Premium Member
join:2010-03-21
Bethel, CT

5 recommendations

camper

Premium Member

There's been an ongoing public conversation for a while...

 
The ISPs contribute to the campaigns of politicians, and the politicians publicly say what the ISPs tell them to.
Kearnstd
Space Elf
Premium Member
join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ

3 recommendations

Kearnstd

Premium Member

Hypcrates.

They cry when the FCC does something in secret but are horribly guilty of doing things in secret themselves that could have impacted the internet? Such as laying the ground work for SOPA that was all closed door BS.
saiga6360
join:2010-08-09
Jersey City, NJ

2 recommendations

saiga6360

Member

nervous much?

I'm not sure why the FCC should be obligated to share but I suppose some politicians are nervous about this affecting how their bread is being buttered by lobbyists. That goes for both R and D as I am sure the Telecoms can afford them both.

Why not just let them do their jobs and you do yours, dear members of Congress? Isn't it about time?