Shiva Stella

Public Knowledge Bolsters Advocacy and Communications Teams To Expand Outreach

Public Knowledge announced two additions and one change to its team. Public Knowledge welcomed Cedric Watkins, Government Affairs Policy Advocate, and Will McBride, Digital Content Manager.

Public Knowledge Launches Movement for a Better Internet To Create an Internet That Benefits Everyone

Public Knowledge joined the Association for Progressive Communications, Creative Commons, Derechos Digitales, Internet Archive, Niskanen Center, and Wikimedia Foundation to launch the Movement for a Better Internet, a diverse community of advocates and activists working together to promote policies that create a better internet for people everywhere. The movement is a collaborative effort seeking to drive policy change based on a public interest vision for internet that benefits us all.

Public Knowledge Mourns the Loss of Sherwin Siy

Sherwin Siy, former Vice President of Legal Affairs at Public Knowledge, has passed away at the age of 40. Sherwin championed the public interest throughout his career, serving as a member of the Public Knowledge staff from 2006 to 2015. His technology policy work spanned many subjects, including copyright, privacy, telecommunications, and free expression. “We are heartbroken to have lost a beloved member of the Public Knowledge family, former Vice President of Legal Affairs, Sherwin Siy," said CEO Chris Lewis in a statement on behalf of Public Knowledge.

Senior Advisor Gene Kimmelman Resigns from Public Knowledge to Join Justice Department

Public Knowledge Senior Advisor Gene Kimmelman announced his resignation in order to serve as Senior Counselor for President Joe Biden’s Associate Attorney General at the Department of Justice. This will be a limited duration position.

Public Knowledge: We Need a ‘Superfund for the Internet’ to Fight Misinformation Online

Public Knowledge has been tracking the efforts of digital platforms to counter mis- and dis-information about the novel coronavirus pandemic since early March. This tracking has involved careful analysis of hundreds of articles, abstracts, research, and opinion pieces about how platforms are responding to the pandemic.

Making the Digital Transition an “Upgrade for All” Again

Copper networks still form the backbone of America’s communication system despite the rise of fiber -- and providers are either pulling the plug or letting them fall into disrepair.

Benton Joins Groups Warning FCC Flawed ‘Robotext’ Order May Hurt Consumers, Reduce Federal Broadband Funding

Public Knowledge joined 19 other public interest, rural, Native American, and consumer groups (including the Benton Foundation) in a letter urging Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai to either issue a new Public Notice examining the classification of text messaging and short codes, or to classify both as Title II telecommunications services. 

34 Civil Rights, Consumer, and Privacy Organizations Unite to Release Principles for Privacy Legislation

34 civil rights, consumer, and privacy organizations join in releasing public interest principles for privacy legislation, because the public needs and deserves strong and comprehensive federal legislation to protect their privacy and afford meaningful redress.

Public Knowledge Files Reply Comments Opposing the Proposed Spring/T-Mobile Merger

Public Knowledge, joined by Common Cause, Consumers Union, Open Markets Institute, and Writers Guild of America West, filed reply comments with the Federal Communications Commission asking the agency to deny the proposed merger of T-Mobile and Sprint. Senior Policy Counsel Phillip Berenbroick said, "The record compiled by the Federal Communications Commission clearly demonstrates that the proposed transaction will substantially reduce competition in the wireless market and harm consumers. Post-merger, New T-Mobile, along with AT&T and Verizon, would dominate the wireless market.

Advocates Ask FCC Chairman Not To Take Away 5G Spectrum From Rural America

Public Knowledge joined 20 rural advocacy organizations, rural healthcare providers, rural network operators, and public interest advocates (including the Benton Foundation) in a letter urging Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai to preserve the existing Citizens Band Radio Service (CBRS) rules that enable small providers to offer service in rural areas.

Public Knowledge Urges Court Not To Hang Up On Consumers in FCC Lawsuit

Public Knowledge, joined by Greenlining Institute, The Utility Reform Network (TURN), and the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA), filed a petitioners’ brief in the US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit requesting the Court vacate the Federal Communications Commission’s 2017 Technology Transitions Order, which rolled back consumer protections established in the agency’s 2015 Order.

Public Knowledge, Benton Foundation File Comments on Fixed Wireline Competition with FCC

On Aug 17, Public Knowledge joined Common Cause, Center for Rural Strategies, and the Benton Foundation in filing comments with the Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau in response to a Public Notice seeking comment on the state of fixed wireline competition. Public Knowledge contends that as the FCC prepares its first annual Communications Marketplace report in compliance with the RAY BAUM’s Act of 2018, the agency should measure fixed and mobile broadband as distinct -- and separate -- product markets.

Consumer Groups Welcome Advocates to Washington (DC) for Net Neutrality Advocacy Day

Public Knowledge leads a group of public interest and racial justice allies in welcoming net neutrality advocates from across the United States to Washington (DC) for a “Day of Advocacy.” Volunteers plan to express how important net neutrality is to their lives, schools, and businesses and why Congress should support the Congressional Review Act resolution to reinstate the FCC’s strong net neutrality rules. More than 50 participants volunteered to share their stories in scheduled meetings with their representatives on Capitol Hill.

Public Knowledge Files Protective Petition in DC Circuit Regarding Net Neutrality Rollback

Public Knowledge filed a protective petition in the Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit to urge the court to review the Federal Communications Commission’s rollback of net neutrality rules. 

The following statement can be attributed to John Bergmayer, Senior Counsel at Public Knowledge:

Public Knowledge Urges President-elect Trump to End Cable Box Rip-off

Public Knowledge sent a letter to President-elect Donald J. Trump encouraging him to end the cable box rip-off affecting millions of Americans -- and costing consumers billions of dollars. Public Knowledge President and CEO Gene Kimmelman said, “We hope the President-elect and his transition team will move quickly to stop cable monopolies and media giants from ripping consumers off to the tune of almost $15 billion dollars per year with outrageous cable box fees.” The letter reads, "President-elect Trump, these outrageous cable box rental fees have dogged consumers for decades thanks to powerful Washington insiders and cable lobbyists. We urge you to join with millions of Americans to get the FCC to unlock the box, a proposal that benefits all Americans."