Contact: Claude Chafin 202-225-1112

Blackburn Campaigns To Keep Internet Free
Last Open Market Doesn’t Need Government Intervention

Related Documents Internet Freedom Bill

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Washington, Oct 27 - Today, Congressman Marsha Blackburn (TN-7) has introduced legislation that would prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from needlessly imposing regulations on the Internet. H.R. 3924 blocks the FCC’s so-called “Net Neutrality” regulations, which ironically would make the internet less neutral by allowing the FCC to regulate it in the same way it regulates radio and television broadcasts.

Blackburn, who has likened Net Neutrality to the imposition of a fairness doctrine on the Internet, is concerned that government regulation would decrease the Internet’s efficiency and interrupt the flow of free ideas and information. Ironically, government intervention would hamper industry’s ability to protect intellectual property online and crack down on piracy.

“The internet is the last truly open public marketplace. Its openness is the key to its efficiency and success. Not all public spaces need to be regulated spaces. Indeed, federal regulation has a long history of making the market less efficient. The FCC has plenty on its plate with the regulation of television and radio; let’s not add to their workload by giving them authority over the Internet.”