Michael Copps

Bill Moyers, who passed today, was the preeminent broadcast journalist of our time. The range of his intellect, the utter integrity that motivated him, the charm of his persona, and his dedication to the public interest marked him as a giant of our time—the best of the best.

Bob McChesney was a pioneer and prophet in media studies. He taught and warned a generation about big corporate media’s threat to our democracy. I cherished his warm friendship and the times we spent together. We have lost a national treasure—but his legacy lives on.

Let’s all thank Jessica Rosenworcel for her stellar leadership of the FCC and wish her well as she leaves the Commission. Her dedication, brilliance, and productivity have earned her a place among the best of all her predecessor chairs. Well done, my friend. And thank you!

Despite ludicrous 6th Circuit net neutrality decision, the battle for an open internet is not—cannot—be over. Mark my words: the needs of consumer protection and national security will become ever more urgent in the months ahead as gatekeepers exploit their “victory.”

Anybody who believes the remaining media ownership rules have outlived their time, or that our fast-growing media ecosystem should be exempt from all public interest oversight, is only making an already bad situation an even greater threat to our shrinking democratic dialogue.

Dear Corporate Media: Here’s an idea. How about taking a break from non-stop poll coverage, the most sensationalist sound bites, and predictable pack journalism and cover this crossroads election with reporting that really informs and educates citizens?

Sixth Circuit reasoning today to stay FCC net neutrality decision is as sloppy and uninformed as Fifth Circuit’s recent undermining of Universal Service. Let’s hope courts can get in sync with both the law and the 21st century.

What a downright dumb and misinformed decision by the Fifth Circuit under-cutting the Universal Service Fund which has done so much to connect Americans to the telecommunications they must have to be functioning citizens.

Joe Biden has been one of the most successful one-term Presidents in U.S. history. Against truly steep obstacles he has undone much of the Trump damage he inherited, restored our economy, passed laws for a better future, and restored our global credibility. Well done, Joe!

This Supreme Court’s decisions constitute the most significant power grab in US history. Bottom line: We, the People, are shorn of the basic protections that any country calling itself a democracy must have. Big money and vacuous ideology are in the saddle. What a ride ahead!

The most dangerous and insidious branch of our gov’t now is the judicial— by far. It is pulling the legs out of what remains of our democracy. There are ways to fix it—but as yet no popular will. We better get serious about this real quick.

Good-bye consumer protection and so much more. How can Congress pass expert laws to pass muster when they routinely pass 1200 page bills that no one has seen, or can amend, or even understand? Arrogant Sup. Ct. is not an expert agency, only a power-seeking disrupter.

Today’s FCC vote restoring net neutrality is a HUGE step toward an open internet. The minority commissioners’ arguments against it are anti-citizen, anti-consumer, anti-public safety, and radically inimical to the kind of open internet needed to replenish our democracy.

Hallelujah on bringing net neutrality back later this month. ‘Twas a long time coming. Thanks FCC Chair Rosenworcel for leading the way. We’re still behind other nations in protecting consumers online, but this is a necessary restart.

Happy to join 8 other former FCC chairs urging Congress to fund updated NG9-1-1 emergency calling system. Telecom Act clearly says FCC is to promote safety of life and property through communications. Public safety threats grow every day. Time to act.

What in God’s name is Congress thinking in allowing the Affordability Connectivity Program to lapse? Appropriate money to build infrastructure and then cut people off from the infrastructure??? What a national embarrassment!

Congress’ totally inexplicable failure to renew FCC spectrum auctioning authority is a shot at the heart of one of the government’s few cash cows. Not to mention its effect on retarding our nation’s communications. What utter stupidity!

The Supreme Court seems everyday more poised to put essential gov’t. agencies, some of them generations old, out of the business of regulating too-powerful corporate special interests. Such an abrupt reversal would send us back to the depths of the Gilded Age. Must be stopped!

Huge and welcome action by FCC yesterday to prevent and eliminate digital discrimination. Equal access to the broadband internet is a truly crucial civil right in the 21st century. It’s time to make it happen.

Kudos to FCC Chair Rosenworcel for teeing up issue of incentivizing more local broadcast journalism. What’s left of local journalism today isn’t enough to nourish our democracy. This is a very promising initiative.