Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Who is killing "net neutrality"?

Man this "net neutrality" debate is really on my radar of late.






It all started with what I thought were (and still do) unfair attacks on David Honig and the folks who run MMTC. And so, with his permission, I posted excerpts of our e-mail exchange regarding the push back that he and other organizations were getting from "digital activists" regarding this issue.






The author of the original piece which attacked the establishment civil rights groups and how they are approaching the "net neutrality" debate, reached out to me and subsequently published a response to David Honig's statement for some online news outlets. He claims that Comcast had his article for NewsOne censored after Honig and others protested (a charge which David Honig and MMTC denies) and that this was just another example of the big telecom companies bullying anyone who dares to shine a light to their tactics.






Anyway, in an effort to be totally transparent and fair in this debate, I promised James Rucker, co-founder of the well respected online grass roots group, Color of Change, an opportunity to respond to David Honig as well.






Here goes:






"Hello Field,

Thank you for allowing me to respond to a statement made by David Honig of the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council that you published last week.

In David's statement, he attacked anyone who questioned the influence telecom money has had on the position his organization and other civil rights groups have taken against Net Neutrality, a position that aligns these groups with efforts by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) like Comcast, Verizon and AT&T to undermine an open Internet. But he goes further than that. He says it's insulting — even racist — to ask the questions being posed.

In reality, and David knows this, the circuit of which he is a part is awash in telecom and cable industry money, and all too often the voices of organizations that take industry money end up being aligned with policy positions that benefit the companies providing the money.  
If David acknowledged that this dynamic exists, but disclosed who his backers are in a forthright manner and argued that he himself, his organization, and the civil rights organizations he's organized were an exception to the dynamic, he might have some credibility. Instead, he pretends like this dynamic doesn't exist; according to the Center for Public Integrity, he's been elusive about the millions he's taken from lobbyists, lawyers, and companies with business interests before the FCC; and instead of leading with an argument about how he's right, he (a white guy) accuses those shining a light on these issues of being racist.

Background

First, I want to acknowledge that I know David. Four years ago when I was the executive director of ColorOfChange, I researched the current state of the issue of Net Neutrality in depth (I understood it in the past, given my background as a software developer and architect, and from advocacy work I'd done on the issue in 2006), and ultimately ran a campaign that sought to expose the dynamics coming under scrutiny: civil rights groups (knowingly or not knowingly) taking policy positions that benefit their corporate backers, instead of the communities they represent. As part of the process, I met with David and also talked with the leadership of NAACP, LULAC, NCBCP and other organizations — the context was the previous Net Neutrality proceeding before the FCC at the time. 


 This current debate is an escalation of that previous debate. Back then David organized several civil rights groups to sign onto comments that opposed Net Neutrality, including many of the core organizations currently opposing open Internet protections this time around.  At the time, Honig and other civil rights groups argued they support most open Internet protections but opposed efforts that would ban ISPs from discriminating online (see p.15 of their filing) — i.e. allowing pay-for play fast lanes vs. slow lanes, the prevention of which is a central element of Net Neutrality — because they claim it would hurt low income households. It could have the unintended consequences, they argued, of preventing ISPs from investing in broadband in poor communities. In other words, ISPs would invest in Black communities if they could make more money by discriminating online. It's a theory of trickle-down economics that has been debunked repeatedly. The position MMTC and other civil rights groups staked out at the time perfectly matched the rhetoric and goals of the major ISPs who have backed them. And despite asking, I never heard David, the civil rights groups, or any of the front groups who've pushed these messages, succeed in making a cogent argument to back up their conclusions about how eliminating Net Neutrality would actually result in investment in the communities about which they purportedly care. Four years later, the groups are again making the same arguments, again right in line with the messaging and goals of AT&T, Verizon and Comcast.


Talking with the FCC and Hill staff

Over they years, I've talked with commissioners from the FCC, members of Congress, and their respective staff. There was a time when I thought it was important to explain how the arguments being peddled by groups like MMTC and the major civil rights groups didn't hold water — that they were essentially vacuous arguments that happened to be in service of the interests of the ISPs. I quickly learned that those on the inside — whether on Capitol Hill, at the FCC, or on K Street — knew this. I was told that it wasn't about substance of the arguments; it was about the messenger. Groups like the NAACP, National Urban League, LULAC and others, placed enormous political pressure on the FCC by aligning themselves with the telecom companies. 


 The FCC — especially under Democratic control — doesn't want to be seen as going against the wishes of minority groups. And this is why the approach the telecom industry uses is so effective.  A few weeks ago, I sat down with Tom Wheeler, the current FCC chair, when he visited the Bay Area. When I brought up the dynamic described above — with civil rights groups carrying the trickle-down economics argument of the ISPs — he acknowledged it to be a time-tested tactic, even cracking a joke about the sleight of hand being used by the ISPs to have others carry their water.

The greater dynamic in play
David and MMTC are not alone — they are a part of much larger ecosystem. Hispanic Technology and Telecommunications Partnership (HTTP) has organized civil rights groups in the same manner, but with an emphasis on the Latino community. There are telecom industry consultants and lobbyists who serve on the boards of civil rights organizations and have been shown to use their position to influence. There are media figures that are actually paid by the corporations whose messages they repeat, while not disclosing their connection — just this week, Kristal High, the founder and editor in chief of Politics365, a major MMTC apologist who has trolled the comments section of articles supporting the preservation of Net Neutrality, was exposed for being paid by the ISPs, without disclosing this fact. There are industry front groups (often called astro-turf groups) like Broadband for America — claiming to be community-based and committed to achieving broadband access for communities of color, but in reality they are funded by telecom industry giants and are used to build grassroots support for policies friendly to them.  And, finally, there are paid lobbying firms that are used to go deep into our communities to gin up support for the position of the large telecom players, using the voice of local and state civil rights leaders (this I know because I was approached by a member of a DC lobbying firm that was paid to do this and personally carried out the work). Just search the FCC docket from four years ago for comments filed by MMTC, HTTP, and the organizations they represent, and you'll see the same message being repeated. You'll also see state and local NAACP and Urban League chapters repeating the same industry talking points, deployed by and fed language by DC advocacy firms that specialize in the quid pro quo exchange of money for policy support. So much for free-thinking and independent groups, as David likes to claim.

While this dynamic is understood by those working in the beltway, people outside of Washington remain largely unaware of the relationship between civil rights organizations and the interests of telecom industry players. That began to change in 2011 when Jarrett Barrios, the head of GLAAD, was forced to step down after the LGBT media exposed that the organization was influenced by an AT&T board member to support the AT&T-T-Mobile merger. It was also revealed that the AT&T board member got GLAAD to send a letter opposing Net Neutrality the previous year.

This scandal, for a moment, helped push the conversation about civil rights organizations and telecom companies outside the beltway, with the New York Times editorial page talking about GLAAD, the NAACP, and other civil rights organizations defending policy positions with weak arguments, while receiving big dollars from the companies that stand to benefit.
 
Why this matters

Before finishing, I wanted to say a bit about why Net Neutrality is important to low-income communities, and in particular communities of color. Over the course of history, each new medium to arrive has had the potential to enable everyday people to push back on power, to produce and distribute authentic messages coming from our communities, undisturbed by a corporate filter. And each has repeatedly been killed. For each medium — radio, television, and print — there was the promise of people-controlled media. Yet through media consolidation and barriers-to-entry created by larger corporations to prevent new players from entering, the promise was undone.

The Internet, thus far, has escaped the fate of these other media, largely because of Net Neutrality, which has governed the way content on the Internet is managed. Changing this is in the financial interest of the biggest ISPs (like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon), but it offers no benefit to consumers. In the current Internet, Field Negro can say what he wants, ColorOfChange can knock media figures like Glenn Beck off a major network, and upstart news organizations can come in and challenge major incumbents — because corporate filters and roadblocks haven't been a part of the landscape when it comes to the core design of the Internet. Similarly, all traffic is prioritized equally — there are no slow lanes for content and application providers without a lot of money, and fast lanes for those with deep pockets who can afford to pay.

The courts have made clear that reclassifying broadband under Title II of the 1996 Telecommunications Act is the only way in the current regulatory landscape for the FCC to be on solid ground in attempting to exercise its authority to protect Net Neutrality rules.   Unlike four years ago, the major ISPs, as well as those repeating their arguments like MMTC, have moved away from straight-up opposing Net Neutrality. Now they say they're for it, but that Section 706 of the Act should be used instead of reclassification under Title II. The problem is that the courts have twice struck down the ability of the FCC to use that path for protecting the Internet, preventing fast lanes for those that can pay and slow lanes for those that can't. And that's the problem with the position of MMTC and the major civil rights groups. They now claim that they support Net Neutrality, but history shows it's likely to be meaningless without reclassification, and that relying on Section 706 cannot stop pay for play.


Anyone who has studied the issue, presumably including David Honig, MMTC, and the civil rights organizations he's organized, understands that.
I think it's fine for corporations to advocate for policies that benefit them — it's their job. However, it's the job of organizations that represent our communities to do just that — represent our communities, not the interests of corporations with which they're financially aligned. These organizations, and the moral authority they claim to have (and should have) cannot be for sale.


The recent rash of articles to which Honig objects serve to strengthen our institutions by ensuring they're accountable. Shedding light on the dynamics in play — dynamics that have the ability to undermine the integrity of our institutions, leaders, and messengers — is critical, because in the end it is our community that is harmed by a lack of accountable leadership. It's why the presence of these articles is a great thing. And that's why David's response to the criticism he has received — that it's insulting, even racist for anyone to raise questions about MMTC's or other civil rights organizations' behavior as described above — lacks credibilty and falls flat. 

James"   ~James Rucker is co-founder and former executive director of ColorOfChange.org, and a former campaign director at MoveOn.org.~






I can't stress enough how important it is that we continue to have this debate.


All of you reading this post will be affected by what ultimately happens with "net neutrality" in one way or another. And it is time that you started paying attention to what is happening in Washington and corporate boardrooms in places like Philadelphia----where Comcast happens to call home.






Get engaged, don't allow just a few people to decide the future of the Internet and how we navigate the information superhighway and close the "digital divide". The older civil rights groups and their leaders like the Rev. Jesse Jackson are speaking out, and as you can tell from the post above, the newer activists are as well.






Learn the issues and decide. That's what I am trying to do, and I feel like I am just scratching the surface.






“One of the issues around net neutrality is whether you are creating different rates or charges for different content providers,” Obama said at a business forum with African leaders.
 
“That’s the big controversy here. You have big, wealthy media companies who might be willing to pay more but then also charge more for more spectrum, more bandwidth on the Internet, so they can stream movies faster or what have you,” he said.
 
“The position of my administration, as well as, I think, a lot of companies here is, you don’t want to start getting a differentiation in how accessible the Internet is to various user,” Obama added. “You want to leave it open so that the next Google or the next Facebook can succeed.”


Ok, so at least I know where the President stands....I think.





*Pics from ColorofChange.org & SFgate.com












 










 








48 comments:

BLACKISBEAUTIFUL said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
BLACKISBEAUTIFUL said...

And this is what I was trying to tell your STUBBORN ass a few posts back... Field!

You just kept putting your dammmed hands over your eyes and refused to look further into what I saying...

They just have to keep pushing the issue , and dont get deterred by the possibility of losing that battle in court. You cant give away the position before you even start litigating it... Im sure you want a sure fire counter , but in this case there isnt one,

So get on the CORRECT side of "Net Neutrality" ....An easy way to gain that perspective is to check this web site...

http://torrentfreak.com/

Familiarize yourself with the technology , and get on the correct side of the issue...The Peoples side...

Told you Hoenig was crooked...

and dont look to to O-Bomber for insight..He sits on the fence until the political calculated move will benefit him..

Anonymous said...

"Ok, so at least I know where the President stands....I think. "

The Golfer-In-Chief has no idea what any of this net neutrality talk means.

Anonymous said...

BIB, I agree wholeheartedly with you. Hoenig is a crook, but Field seems to be more comfortable with Hoenig than Color Of Change who has been a champion for POC and Justice.

NAACP, REV AL, Jessie Jackson, CBC and others have always been for lining their own pockets. So you can be sure they will follow the money, instead of following the PEOPLE.

However, this is capitalism. Money is always first, Black people last. That is the scary thing about being Black. We are always last....So, I wonder: what is there to live for? The game is rigged and it's getting worse.

Anonymous said...

BIB, thanks for the link.

PilotX said...

Man, you got some heavy hitters posting here. Good article.

Paranoid Negro said...

Black people are something else.

The knockout game continues.

http://www.truthrevolt.org/news/more-knockout-game-where-outrage


"Looks like it's open season on bm across America."

Who are the hunters? That's right.

Black men.

Anonymous said...

Granny, how does a bm record and film something while in handcuffs and the police don't know it?

Anonymous said...

I don't believe that bm was able to record anything on White policemen. They are too smart and can get away with anything they do to a bm and not worry about anyone finding out.

And if they do find out, statistically, there is a 98% chance the policeman(s) will get off.

Anonymous said...

I am so depressed. It's hell to be a bm in America. The Whites are relentless, no mercy or peace for the bm. Why? why-o-why? I am so tired and weary.

What did Blacks ever do to Whites to deserve this? Lord, have mercy.

GrannyStandingforTruth said...

Anonymous 12:58,

I dunno.

The recording was supposedly turned over to the authorities...Internal Affairs. If I remember correctly, the article said something about his cell phone being on and recording it.

field negro said...

Anon@10:43, please provide a link to support your assertion that David Honig is a crook.

Take all the time u need.

I will wait........

Anonymous said...

"It sure seems like the cops across America are trying to tell us something."


yes - crime doesn't pay

BLACKISBEAUTIFUL said...

This is where split on difference of opinions...

You want to believe that the good corporate citizens want to help communities...But first things first ... Telecom compamies say...."Just let us have our tiered system ...and we PROMISE to invest .... In your communities...."

If that isn't the biggest bait and switch ever...

And you come BACK today to Defend the Corporation's position ..and try to morph it into something good for black folks..

STEPHEN has taken over again....
You should be ashamed to advocate higher prices for certain internet services...

Here's hoping your blog is on the lowest pay tier...

UNBELIEVABLE....

BLACKISBEAUTIFUL said...

How can you say something like this...

"Learn the issues and decide. That's what I am trying to do, and I feel like I am just scratching the surface. "


Then turn right around , and stake out the Corporate position without any explanation.

Verizon, Sprint, and ATT will invest in Black communities .....IF...

They can have tiered pricing for the internet...

This is what your selling ...

Slap ya Picture up on the Right Side....

You need Jedi Mind Tricks to explain how this is going to benefit people of color...

Bill said...


Philly DA sued over $5.8 million civil forfeiture “machine.”
thousands of Philadelphians who have had their houses and other property confiscated by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office, in many cases without any criminal charge being filed against them.


http://citypaper.net/article.php?Philly-DA-sued-over-5.8-million-civil-forfeiture-machine.-20953


That's how the legal system is set up.

Cops shooting blacks.

Government taking black peoples stuff.


Remember, vote for the same people, same party.




Pornio said...

Hey BIB, STFU and pay your internet bill.

Cracker with a Nickel said...

BLACKISBEAUTIFUL said...
"You need Jedi Mind Tricks to explain how this is going to benefit people of color..."
---

For something to "benefit people of color", doesn't have to not benefit people without color?

Why can't you frame an argument in terms of something being of benefit to everybody?

Because you are a racist, that's why.

PilotX said...

WTF? A no fly zone over Missouri? I gotta check this out.

Bill said...


PilotX said...

WTF? A no fly zone over Missouri? I gotta check this out.



Maybe an nra rally?


Brietbart family reunion?



field negro said...

BIB, please explain to me how Honig is selling out?

BTW, my apologies to James Rucker for how his article was reprinted here.

Trust me folks,there were well outlined paragraphs when he sent it to me. :)

Anonymous said...

If James Rucker sent you a well-outlined article, then why didn't you make sure you duplicated it?

You didn't have any problem with Honig's shit article, but I forget...you and Honig are buddies and you 'trust' him.

So, can't have a bm's article looking better than you white buddy's article. I understand your position and loyalty.

Btw, is Honig Jewish? DON'T LIE.

Bill said...


If the police was a private organization owned/operated by right wingers, the left would be demanding video cameras on officers to document the truth.

The government police unions don't like cameras on officers.

Democrats meekly obey.




Bill said...


field negro said...
Trust me folks,



Tell the truth.


It's bush's fault.


Since obama can get away with blaming bush for ending the war in iraq, you might as well blame bush too.


It's only fair.






BLACKISBEAUTIFUL said...

BIB, please explain to me how Honig is selling out?


Now your gonna play dumb...

As if I havent already outlined completely what the problem was.

I even posted the donation amounts AFTER the administrative employment costs were factored in...

and you want to play dumb...

Go Re Read Ya dammed article....and explain to me how a Promise of investment to the Black Community equals Tiered internet pricing for everyone...

Unbelievable...

PilotX said...

My guess is to keep news helicopters out. Something strange is going on in the St. Louis area.

BLACKISBEAUTIFUL said...

WMV says..."CAUSE YOUR A RACIST!!
Hey WMV...

I explain it to very briefly....the definition of RACISM...OK...

Next time you call a Black person Racist ...

Racism exists only when one group holds a disproportionate share of wealth and power over another group then uses those resources to marginalize, exploit, exclude and subordinate the weaker group.”

Black people do not hold “a disproportionate share of wealth and power over another group.” Nor do Black people [in America] possess the ability to “marginalize, exploit, exclude and subordinate” another group.

Write that definition on your heart...and TRY to THINK before u post again....

Anonymous said...

PilotX said...
My guess is to keep news helicopters out. Something strange is going on in the St. Louis area.


Your guess isn't worth a nickel.

It's to keep everyone safe from blacks shooting..



PilotX said...

C'mon, we all know only blah people can be racists.

Lt. Pete Mitchell said...

PilotX said...

WTF? A no fly zone over Missouri? I gotta check this out.
-----

Mogadishu on the Mississippi.

Anderson Poopshoot said...

PilotX said...

My guess is to keep news helicopters out. Something strange is going on in the St. Louis area.
----

Yes, it doesn't fit the Narrative to show black people rioting and looting.

It is better for news programs to show pictures of the victim as a child, grieving parents, pontificating agitators, and apologizing government officials.

Gotta keep the story "straight".

teh stupid said...

"It's to keep everyone safe from blacks shooting.."

I wish there was something to keep everyone safe from your stupidity.

"It is better for news programs to show pictures of the victim as a child, grieving parents, pontificating agitators, and apologizing government officials."

Soooooooo, the media demanded a no-fly zone. You are one stupid mother fucker. Dumber than Bill and that takes some work.

WMV said...

BLACKISBEAUTIFUL said...
Racism exists only when one group holds a disproportionate share of wealth and power over another group then uses those resources to marginalize, exploit, exclude and subordinate the weaker group.
----

You know what you just defined BIB? Life.

By your definition, everyone who ever lived or will live is racist.

When I grew up, long ago, racism meant judging negatively members of a racial group solely based on their race. In fact, you not only had to hate someone, but you had to act on that hate by discriminating against them or otherwise causing them harm.

It was a personal attribute that made one a racist.

But your definition applies to groups, and makes individual beliefs and actions irrelevant. I can treat everyone fairly based on their individual merits, but if I am assigned as a member of the 'dominant' group, I am a racist.

You are judging me negatively solely based on my race.

Your definition of racism makes you a racist by the old definition of racism.

Anonymous said...

teh stupid said...
Soooooooo, the media demanded a no-fly zone. You are one stupid mother fucker. Dumber than Bill and that takes some work.
-----

No, the Obama FAA did.

You are dumber than the person who is dumber than Bill. And you typed that yourself. That's impressive.

Anonymous said...

See. I told ya.....

The only stupidity on this board comes from the appropriately named "teh stupid" .

BLACKISBEAUTIFUL said...

WMV said...."You are judging me negatively solely based on my race.

Your definition of racism makes you a racist by the old definition of racism."

If you go back and. RE READ the definition.. You'll understand why I used it....Did I mention one Race over another? NOPE....You attributed my statement to your group of people as defined in MY statement.....

Now that the definition is clearly out there...YEAH..I'm calling YOU...a Racist just based on your statements and the group you identify with as defined in my statement...

Wear your Racism proudly .... Don't backtrack now.....



Anonymous said...

Why is FN deleting comments that aren't offensive or trolling?

But he'll let FP and Alicia Banks clog up the thread forever.

Odd.

Anonymous said...

Now, setting aside the issue of "net neutrality," the organization Color of Change is simply pushing for more "give me money" from the (disfunctional) Black Community.

Anonymous said...

Anon @ 6:41pm

The most satisfying thing about cancelling the cable subscription was no longer being forced to subsidize BET, Telemundo, etc etc etc.

I don't know anyone who is interested in subsidizing anything for the minorities communities anymore.

Life in this Post Negro Post America land.

BLACKISBEAUTIFUL said...

WMV said...

Now, setting aside the issue of "net neutrality," the organization Color of Change is simply pushing for more "give me money" from the (disfunctional) Black Community.


Explain your Bogus statement....

I dont even think you know whats going on...

Your still have your White Supremacy program running...

This is a totally different conversation...

Go on over to the Grio ..or The Root ..

Theres plenty of black folks that will clown you over there...

STEPHEN...go hire an exterminator

and while your at it..

Explain how to ensure these corporate entities to keep their PROMISES after they get what they want outta this deal...

Do you HONESTLY believe that ?

field negro said...

"Odd" your handle is quite appropriate. I haven't deleted a comment from a troll in a very long time.

I try my best not to censor. I think it's always best that folks see what we are dealing with out here.

Anonymous said...

"Explain your Bogus statement..."

What is "bogus" about my statement: it has become the case that every minority-oriented community organizing group agitating for minority rights is nothing more than an organization advocating for more transfers of money to the minority group that they (these organizations) "advocate" for.

It is a racket.

Anonymous said...

It is a racket.

8:33 PM
__________________________________

Like you trolling a Black blog 24/7 regurgitating the same shit ad hominem for pay (or some sort of twisted therapy)

Like that?

Limpbaugh said...

Ending net neutrality will be used for fascist censorship of content, just like we have on network TV. How many times have you seen video of the collapse of World Trade Center 7 on TV? Now the NYC government is trying to block an investigation. Even if you believe the scientifically impossible 9/11 Commission report, wouldn't it be nice for firefighters to know how long it is safe to be in a burning building? Or if building flaws can be avoided in the future? Or if there is a cheap way to do controlled demolitions?

BLACKISBEAUTIFUL said...

WHITE MALE WHINER said......

Every minority-oriented community organizing group agitating for minority rights is nothing more than an organization advocating for more transfers of money to the minority group that they (these organizations) "advocate" for.

It is a racket


That's easy for you to blanket every community organizing group as a racket...

Your just painting a extremely large brush... and SOMEHOW u seem to believe that Black people will just magically agree with you because you cry even harder .

Again I ask you ... Whatcha gonna do about it?? ...WMV ....
I'm gonna take a stab at it and guess that no one really gives a damm if you think there's too much money being squandered on poor black communities.......

On the Flip side....ask the people in the largest states if Cannabis should be legal and watch the heated conversations....

Only deranged characters would concern themselves over the amount of money distributed to poor communities especially when its obvious the intended recipients of this supposed influx of cash ain't gettin it

....but once again I'm talking a robot devoid of empathy or a sense of humanity....

Cue the canned robotic response....

Who has side bets on the vernacular the bot will use...????

Anonymous said...

BIB, speaking of Cannabis what is going on with ERBB? I mean, that stock needs to be put on oxygen.

teh stupid said...

"No, the Obama FAA did."

No shit but some dumb ass wrote

"It is better for news programs to show pictures of the victim as a child, grieving parents, pontificating agitators, and apologizing government officials."

In response to keeping news helicopters at bay. Try to keep up but I guess white conservatives are too stupid to even keep up with their own posts.

BLACKISBEAUTIFUL said...


You still havent asnwered my question Field...

"Explain how to ensure these corporate entities to keep their PROMISES after they get what they want outta this deal."

Anon as to your question on ERBB ... Thats probably a longer play than your willing to risk. They are almost at in the 000's so It may be fun to play around with.

I like them long . I think they are the new MedBox. I have 5,000 shares ....Im not moving until it explodes..

You dont sound very patient or you just dont have the liquidity to park money somewhere. You may wanna just watch for a while.