Digital rights and other progressive groups on Thursday praised President Joe Biden’s choice of Democratic Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel to lead the Federal Communications Commission into a new era of consumer advocacy after four years of former chairman Ajit Pai’s corporate friendship.
“As we face the pandemic, economic crisis and the urgent need for racial justice, we need fair access to reliable communication tools and accurate news and information. ‘
—Jessica J. González,
Free press
Biden’s appointment of Rosenworcel as acting chairman of the FCC follows eight years of commission service that began in the Obama administration. During her tenure, she has been a staunch advocate of increasing Internet access for the underprivileged, net neutrality and treating the Internet as a public utility, and a staunch opponent of corporate consolidation.
Rosenworcel’s positions often stood in stark contrast to those of Pai, who was named FCC chairman by former President Donald Trump in January 2017 and which led to the revocation of net neutrality, the approval of T-Mobile. Sprint megamerger – for which he is accused. to betray the public interest in the service of large corporations – and other controversial policies.
Evan Greer, deputy director of the digital rights group Fight for the Future, said goodbye to Pai in November, predicting that he would “go down in history as one of the most corrupt government officials of the century.”
“Its insensitive attack on net neutrality and the blatant conspiracy of Big Telecom monopolies have resulted in the largest cross-party online setback in the modern era,” Greer said. “If he disappears into the background, his complacent attitude and Reese Cup will become a warning. It will remind internet users of what happens if we do not hold our government accountable.”
Fight for the Future, on the other hand, welcomed the news of Rosenworcel’s appointment, urging Biden to nominate ” another champion of net neutrality … so that the FCC can get back to work on affordable access to the ensuring open internet in the midst of a pandemic. “
Big. Now we need Biden to name another #netneutrality champion and the Senate to move quickly to confirm them so the FCC can get back to work to ensure affordable access to the open internet amid a pandemic. https://t.co/PyiiuEhc0n
– Fight for the future (@fightfortheftr) 21 January 2021
Michael Copps, a former FCC commissioner and current special adviser to the non-partisan government reform group Common Cause, called Rosenworcel ‘ideal for the job’.
“I know, because we worked together when she led my staff while I was a commissioner there,” Copps said in a statement.
He added:
She knows the FCC from below and understands how to make good things happen there. She … showed a mastery of the issues that rarely match. Whether it brings broadband to every home in America, encourages the availability of the Internet for our schools, makes wise decisions for the use of spectrum, the fight against telecommunications and media monopolies, [or] She has a combination of vision and practicality that deceives and uninforms her, making her ideal for the presidency. She is a true supporter of the public interest.
Jessica J. González, co-CEO of the media democracy group Free Press, also welcomed the appointment of Rosenworcel in a statement. It reads in part:
As we face the pandemic, economic crisis and the urgent need for racial justice, we need fair access to reliable communication tools and accurate news and information. We look forward to working with Acting Chairman Rosenworcel to restore the Commission’s Title II authority under the Communications Act and to open up opportunities to finally close the digital divide, to ensure reliable access to the Internet and to reintroduce non-discrimination policies such as net neutrality.
We also hope to work closely with efforts to expand ownership and views of diversity in the broadcasting sector, and to ensure that broadcasters serve the public interest.
In a statement, Rosenworcel said she was’ honored ‘to be elected head of the FCC and that she would work to’ expand the reach of communication in the digital age.
Today @POTUS me as acting chairman of the @FCC. I am honored and excited to lead this amazing agency. Now, more than ever, we need to expand the reach of communication for all. We have a lot of work to do and I can not wait to get started.
– Jessica Rosenworcel (@JRosenworcel) 21 January 2021
Although Democrats – who now control the White House and both branches of Congress – plan to restore net neutrality, expand broadband subsidies and pursue other popular policies, Rosenworcel is likely to face serious challenges until Biden ‘ a third Democrat is nominated to the commission and they are confirmed by the Senate. It is not clear when this will happen; it is also not known whether Rosenworcel will remain permanent chairman of the FCC.