The FCC strikes the Internet

[David Farber <farber () central cis upenn edu>]

In the proposed Markey bill there is the following language (credited to
Ralph Nader)






SEC. 108. INQUIRY ON CIVIC PARTICIPATION.


        (a) INQUIRY ON POLICIES TO ENHANCE CIVIC PARTICIPATION ON THE
INTERNET.--The Commission, in consultation with the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration, shall initiate an
inquiry into policies that will enhance civic participation through the
Internet.  The inquiry shall request public comment on the question of
whether common carriers should be required to provide citizens with a flat
rate service for gaining access to the Internet.
        (b) PARTICIPATION IN REGULATORY AFFAIRS.--The Commission, in
consultation with the Office of Consumer Affairs, shall conduct a study of
how to encourage citizen participation in regulatory issues and, within 120
days from the date of enactment of this Act, report to Congress on the
results of the study.






This would place the FCC in the Internet area and potentially subject it to
regulation by the FCC. Many of recommended that this language be removed
from the bill during conference since it is not in the House version.


If you agree  (and by the way I do) or disagree that it should be removed,
you may want to make your position known to your congressperson.


Dave