MAP, Free Press and Public Knowledge Press FCC to Stop Comcast's Internet Blocking
Responding to Comcast’s blocking of Internet traffic, members of the SavetheInternet.com Coalition and Internet scholars at the nation’s top law schools today filed a petition and complaint with the Federal Communications Commission. MAP Senior Vice President, Harold Feld had the following comment:
“Last year, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and opponents of Net Neutrality told Congress that the FCC has all the authority it needs to prevent exactly this sort of customer abuse by a major provider. Now we come to the acid test. Will the FCC, which vowed to protect our freedom to run the applications of our choice, stand up for citizens in the face of Comcast?”
Thursday November 1, 2007 under Legal Filings » Broadband/Open Access | Read more »
MAP Reacts to Cable Franchise Decision
Harold Feld, Senior Vice President of Media Access Project (MAP) issued the following statement regarding the FCC’s actions on cable franchising and exclusive contracts:
“Today, the FCC gives to the American people with one hand, but takes back with the other. Ending exclusive contracts for cable services will ensure that all Americans can enjoy the benefits of choice, such as lower prices and better service, wherever they live. But preempting local franchising authority will deprive the public of the best way to guarantee that cable providers and competitors meet the needs of their local communities. Local franchising authorities provided a needed local advocate and counterweight against the power of these multi-billion dollar companies, who all too frequently ignore the needs of individual citizens or even whole neighborhoods of less “desirable” customers.”
Wednesday October 31, 2007 under Press » Press Releases | Read more »
MAP President Testifies Before FCC Localism Hearing
Andrew Jay Schwartzman, President and CEO of Media Access Project (MAP) testified before the FCC hearing on localism in broadcast media. Mr. Schwartzman implored the Commission to address localism through ensuring broadcasters provide locally originated and produced programming that addresses the needs, tastes, and interests of the local community. As he notes:
“Effective local service requires institutional and personal attachments to the community. It requires a diverse workforce that is capable of conveying the many different perspectives found in each community. There is no way to document the qualitative impact of having a station operated locally by individuals citizens who live in the community and expect to remain there.”
Wednesday October 31, 2007 under Press » Press Releases | Read more »
MAP Reacts to Comcast's Net Neutrality Violation
Harold Feld, Senior Vice President of Media Access Project (MAP), issued the following statement about reports that Comcast is interfering with customers’ content data uploads:
“When a broadband provider can deliberately disrupt traffic without telling subscribers, no one’s content is safe. Comcast’s actions to target Bit Torrent traffic without telling customers interferes with the many legitimate users who pay extra for broadband connections so they can move large files they have every legal right to send.” “Comcast is fond of saying that network neutrality is ‘a solution in search of a problem.’ Today’s revelation makes it clear that there is, indeed, a real problem. Fortunately, we have a solution — it’s called Network Neutrality.”
Friday October 19, 2007 under Press » Press Releases | Read more »
MAP Presses FCC on Minority and Independent Programmer Access to Cable
Media Access Project filed reply comments in the FCC’s leased access proceeding, highlighting the abusive practices carried out by cable operators to discourage use of leased access programming. Congress established the cable leased access program to promote diversity of programming and encourage vigorous competition in the video programming market. Although cable operators claim the leased access program is working, a MAP economic analysis by Dr. Gregory Rose demonstrates that operators are charging access rates well above what Congress intended, inhibiting minority and independent programmers from utilizing the program. MAP called upon the Commission to make substantial changes to the existing rules and provide independent programmers with affordable access to cable viewers.
Monday October 15, 2007 under Legal Filings » Cable Ownership | Read more »