Future of the Internet Public Hearing

"You know, history is pretty clear that when some special interest has control over both the content and distribution of a product or service -- and a financial incentive to exercise that control -- someone is going to try it. That's a monopoly or an oligopoly or whatever you want to call it -- I call it a danger to America."

Sen. Al Franken (D.-MN) warned a packed house August 19 in Minneapolis that the corporate takeover of our media, and the government's failure to stop it, is one of the most important issues of our time.

Federal Communications Commission proposal to change broadband regulation could decrease incentives for private-sector investment in broadband build-out.

Right now, the few companies that provide access to the Internet can control what we see and do online, with or without our knowledge. They tell us not to worry because surely they can agree among themselves to behave appropriately. History teaches us, however, that when technological capability to exercise control combines with a financial incentive to do so, some will try to turn this power to their own advantage.

On Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission will be in Minneapolis for a public hearing on the future of the Internet. The big question now looming over this hearing is whether the fate of the Internet has already been decided behind closed doors before the FCC has heard what the public has to say.