A Victory for Everyone Who Uses the Internet

[Commentary] February 26, 2015 marks the greatest commitment ever made to preserve and protect an open and free Internet. On this day, the Federal Communications Commission has acted decisively to protect the rights of Internet users to employ any legal applications, content, devices, and services of their choosing on the broadband networks they rely on. Today, the FCC has made sure that the Internet remains a platform for all consumers, content creators, and innovators, regardless of their ability to pay infrastructure owners special fees for special access. Ten years after the FCC first adopted a policy statement on the Open Internet, we now have strong, enforceable network neutrality rules, consistent with the nation’s core values. The FCC’s action today demonstrates that there is a public interest at stake across all communications media – be they telephone networks, broadcast stations, wireless, or today’s networks of computer networks. At the Benton Foundation, we have always focused on closing the digital divide and supporting digital inclusion, so the most vulnerable populations can participate fully in a diverse media system and in our democracy. Today, the FCC took action to make this a reality.

• Strong, enforced net neutrality means access.
• Strong, enforced net neutrality means diversity.
• Strong, enforced net neutrality means equity.
• Strong, enforced net neutrality will enhance our democracy.
• Strong, enforced net neutrality rules are crucial for our most-vulnerable communities.
• Strong, enforced net neutrality means innovation.

Today’s actions are the result of real-life democracy and the interplay between the American people and the institutions that serve them. Academics, public interest advocates, foundation leaders, legal scholars, members of Congress, and representatives of associations and corporations were able to express their opinions and debate this issue in detail through public comments and visits with FCC policymakers, at FCC round tables and hearings. Best of all, millions of Americans made their voices heard over the past 13 months, writing the FCC to insist on strong, enforceable net neutrality rules. Positions were modulated, changed, refined. And yes, the President weighed in. The Benton Foundation salutes this vital democratic process and the end result which is a victory for everyone who uses the Internet.