Interest Groups, Bloggers Remind Obama They're Watching

With President-elect Barack Obama's transition team sprinting to the end of the cabinet-appointment process, anticipation is rising among public interest groups, unions and lefty bloggers about who Obama will name for posts at independent agencies that oversee Internet and media issues, such as the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Trade Commission and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. On Thursday, a coalition of groups sent a letter to Chicago to remind Obama about his campaign promises on issues such as net neutrality, universal broadband and media ownership reform. "The commitments you made and the detailed plan you published represent a fundamental shift toward communications policy in the public interest," the letter states. "The more than one hundred people signed onto this letter - and the millions more we represent in our organizations, workplaces and communities - join your call to create a more vibrant and diverse media system and to deliver the benefits of the open Internet and new technology to all Americans." The Service Employees International Union, National Organization of Women, MoveOn, the benton Foundation and Center for American Progress are among the groups that signed the letter, which also drew support of several prominent bloggers and musicians including REM's Mike Mills, Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard and My Morning Jacket's lead singer Jim James. "The letter is a reminder to the president-elect that the public interest community is squarely behind the agenda he's set forth and we want to make sure that he appoints public officials who will carry out his goals," said Josh Silver, executive director of Free Press, a public interest group which was behind the effort.

The letter includes six of Obama's best quotes on media reform to remind him that his words have not fallen on deaf ears:

Protecting an Open Internet: To "take a backseat to no one in my commitment to Net Neutrality" and "protect the Internet's traditional openness to innovation and creativity and ensure that it remains a platform for free speech and innovation that will benefit consumers and our democracy."

Promoting Universal, Affordable Broadband: To see that "in the country that invented the Internet, every child should have the chance to get online" by bringing "true broadband to every community in America."

Diversifying Media Ownership: To create "the diverse media environment that federal law requires and the country deserves."

Renewing Public Media: To foster "the next generation of public media," and "support the transition of existing public broadcasting entities and help renew their founding vision in the digital world."

Spurring Economic Growth: To "strengthen America's competitiveness in the world" and leverage technology "to grow the economy, create jobs, and solve our country's most pressing problems."

Ensuring Open Government: To reverse "policies that favor the few against the public interest," close "the revolving door between government and industry," and achieve "a new level of transparency, accountability and participation for America's citizens."