Digital rights and other progressive groups on Thursday hailed President Joe Biden’s choice of Democratic Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel to lead the Federal Communications Commission into a new era of consumer interests after four years of business-friendly stewardship from former Chairman Ajit Pai.
“As we face the pandemic, the economic crisis and the urgent need for racial justice, we need equitable access to reliable means of communication and accurate news and information. “
—Jessica J. González,
Free press
Biden’s appointment of Rosenworcel as acting FCC chairman follows eight years of committee service beginning in the Obama administration. During her tenure, she proved a staunch advocate for increasing Internet access for disadvantaged populations, net neutrality and treating the Internet as a public utility, and a staunch opponent of corporate consolidation.
Rosenworcel’s views often contrasted sharply with those of Pai, who was appointed FCC chairman by former President Donald Trump in January 2017 and who led the withdrawal of net neutrality, the adoption of the megamerger T-Mobile-Sprint – for which he was accused. of betraying the public interest in the service of big corporations – and other controversial policies.
Evan Greer, deputy director of the digital rights group Fight for the Future, said goodbye to Pai in November by predicting he will “go down in history as one of the most corrupt government officials of the century.”
“His harsh attack on net neutrality and blatant coddling of Big Telecom monopolies led to the greatest disagreement of parties on the Internet in modern times,” said Greer. As he fades into the background, his smug behavior and Reese’s mug become warning memes – reminding internet users of what happens if we don’t hold our government accountable.
On the other hand, Fight for the Future welcomed the news of Rosenworcel’s appointment, while Biden urged Biden to “appoint one more net neutrality champion … so the FCC can get back to work and ensure affordable access to the open internet. in the middle of a pandemic. “
Excellent. Now we need Biden to nominate another #netneutrality champion and the Senate to act quickly to confirm them so that the FCC can get back to work and ensure affordable access to the open Internet in the midst of a pandemic. https://t.co/PyiiuEhc0n
– Fight for the future (@fightfortheftr) January 21, 2021
Michael Copps, a former FCC commissioner and current special adviser to the impartial reform group Common Cause, called Rosenworcel “ideal for the job.”
“I know because we worked together when she led my staff while I was commissioner there,” Copps said in a statement.
He added:
She knows the FCC bottom up and she understands how to make good things happen there. She … has shown a mastery of problems that has rarely been matched. Whether it’s bringing broadband to every home in America, boosting the availability of the Internet for our schools, making wise decisions for spectrum usage, challenging telecom and media monopolies, [or] She fights against misinformation and disinformation and has a combination of vision and practicality that makes her perfect for the presidency. She is a true champion of the common good.
Jessica J. González, co-CEO of the media democracy group Free Press, also welcomed Rosenworcel’s appointment in a statement. It read in part:
As we face the pandemic, the economic crisis and the urgent need for racial justice, we need equitable access to reliable means of communication and accurate news and information. We look forward to working with Acting Chair Rosenworcel to restore the commission’s Title II authority under the Communications Act and open up opportunities to finally end the digital divide, ensure reliable access to the Internet and restore non-discrimination policies such as net neutrality.
We also hope to work closely together in efforts to expand ownership and diversity of views in the broadcasting industry and ensure that broadcasters serve the common good.
In a statement, Rosenworcel said she was “honored” to have been chosen to lead the FCC and that she would work to “expand the reach of communication options in the digital age.”
Today @POTUS appointed me acting chairman of the @FCC. I am honored and thrilled to run this great agency. Now more than ever, we need to expand the reach of communication options for all of us. We have a lot of work to do and I can’t wait to get started.
– Jessica Rosenworcel (@JRosenworcel) January 21, 2021
While the Democrats – who now control the White House and both branches of Congress – want to restore net neutrality, expand broadband subsidies and pursue other popular policies, Rosenworcel will likely face major challenges until Biden is committee and they are confirmed by the Senate. It is not clear when that will happen; Nor is it known whether Rosenworcel will remain in a permanent position as FCC Chairman.