"Malkia Cyril, founder and executive director of the Center for Media Justice, has been on the frontline of the fight for a free and fair internet for more than 15 years. They helped put the phrase “net neutrality” on the map. That’s why we asked Cyril—who played a major part in the push to get the Obama administration to pass net neutrality rules—how the FCC’s repeal of the regulations will affect the lives and political power of marginalized people. Here’s what they said, via email:
“Today, communities of color, women, rural communities, low income people and all those who rely on an open internet to seek opportunity and participate in democracy were dealt a serious blow when the Republican majority FCC repealed Obama-era net neutrality rules.
“These constituencies, more than most, will suffer from the higher internet and cable prices and the pay-for-play Internet service they are likely to be subjected to without net neutrality rules to prohibit it. Even more concerning: By giving virtual monopolies more power, competition will decrease, disproportionately harming rural communities and all of us who often only have one provider to choose from."
Read more at Color Lines.
- Date Published:12/14/2017
- Original Publication:Color Lines