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Obama signals support for net neutrality printable version

11 Oct 2014: posted by the editor - Internet news, United States

By freepress.net
US President Obama made an unmistakable call for real Net Neutrality protections during a question-and-answer session in Santa Monica, California, when Obama made it clear that he wasn’t happy with FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler’s plan to allow discrimination online.¹

“I am unequivocally committed to Net Neutrality,” Obama said to applause from the audience.

“What I’ve been clear about, what the White House has been clear about,” the president continued, “is that we expect that whatever final rules emerge, to make sure that we’re not creating two or three or four tiers of Internet. That ends up being a big priority of mine.”

This is the strongest indication yet that Obama wants the FCC to change course and do what’s right for the open Internet.

With nearly 4 million comments calling for real Net Neutrality protections and many calls from Congress to do the same, there’s no question that Wheeler needs to toss out his rules and reclassify broadband providers as common carriers under Title II of the Communications Act.

Wheeler claims to oppose Internet fast lanes, but his rules would allow companies like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon to make them a reality. And he’s refused to engage with the public on this issue, opting instead for invite-only roundtables and closed-door meetings.

Obama wouldn’t have made these comments were it not for the efforts of people like you.

The next few months are going to get even tougher. Free Press will be doing everything we can to win on Net Neutrality: We’ll elevate your stories to policymakers, battle industry spin — and organize public hearings with or without Wheeler’s participation. If you can help support our work today, a generous donor will match your gift dollar for dollar.

1. President Obama, Town Hall with Members of the Cross-Campus Community, Santa Monica, Calif., Oct. 9, 2014: http://act.freepress.net/go/16175?t=5&akid=4974.10003489.PWDkwe.

Tags: net neutrality

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