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Don't let the government slow Internet progress The Internet has become a powerful communications and economic force because it has been free from government interference. To make sure the power and promise of the Internet continues, we need to keep it free of government interference.
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Latest from the IFC IFC reiterates strong opposition to extend "must carry" rules Monday, November 5, 2007 IFC Coalition Letter The Honorable Kevin Martin, Chairman The Honorable Deborah Taylor Tate The Honorable Robert McDowell The Honorable Michael Copps The Honorable Jonathan Adelstein Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, SW Washington, DC 20554 October 19, 2007 Dear Commissioners: The undersigned organizations wish to reiterate their strong opposition to proposals to extend “must carry” rules for cable operators to include the multiple streams of programming broadcasters may offer following the transition to digital television. To do so would impose what is an unreasonable and likely unconstitutional burden on cable operators. Currently, cable operators are required to carry certain commercial and public television stations -- already a government mandated taking of cable operators’ privately built property. However, following the upcoming digital transition, broadcasters will be able to divide their digital spectrum to offer multiple streams. A multicast must carry requirement could increase the amount of property seized from cable providers by six times or more, with no just compensation from broadcasters – a likely violation of the takings clause of the Constitution. A requirement that cable providers carry every single stream on separate channels might also impede those companies from offering additional services including high-speed Internet, HDTV and Internet phone service – services on the cutting edge that have been developed to meet the needs and desires of subscribers. Cable operators have built large private infrastructures at enormous costs, and depend upon private subscribers for their survival and success, while broadcasters already enjoy free license to use public airwaves. To give broadcasters a free ride on cable operators’ private infrastructure would represent the worst sort of government mandate, and would fly in the face of the property rights protections found in the Constitution. We strongly urge the Commission not to support a multicast must carry rule for cable, and instead to allow the free market to determine the programming offered to cable subscribers. Sincerely, Grover Norquist Americans for Tax Reform David Keene American Conservative Union Fred Smith Competitive Enterprise Institute Kristina Rasmussen National Taxpayers Union Kelsey Zahourek Property Rights Alliance Derek Hunter Media Freedom Project Michelle Korsmo Americans for Prosperity Michael Flynn Reason Foundation Jim Martin 60 Plus Association Chuck Muth Citizen Outreach Jeff Mazzella Center for Individual Freedom Jason Wright Institute for Liberty Ryan Ellis American Shareholders Association Labels: net neutrality 11/05/2007 11:32:00 PMPrevious Posts: Top News
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