Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Following Millions of Complaints, the FCC Reverses Course and Slaps Down Big Telecom and Cable

In a 3-to-2 vote earlier today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) implemented sweeping net neutrality rules, including prohibitions on site and app blocking, speed throttling, and paid fast lanes. It reclassified Internet providers’ services as “telecommunications services” under Title II of the Communications Act, giving the Commission the power to enforce these rules.

A BIG Win for Net Neutrality 


This move will prevent deals between Internet providers like Comcast and content companies such as Netflix, which under the old regime was forced to pay more or be forced into a “slow lane” on Comcast. The FCC's new order also establishes a standard that requires providers to not unreasonably interfere with or disadvantage consumers--or the companies whose sites or apps the customers are trying to access.

The Internet's Heroes Saved It 

For some time, it appeared that Commission chairman Tom Wheeler was going to favor big telecom and cable after he proposed rules that seemed to undercut the entire concept of net neutrality by allowing for certain “paid fast lanes.” But earlier this month, following millions of public comments spurred on by social media icon George Takei’s public drubbing of Wheeler on Facebook and a viral John Oliver segment, as well from major websites like Netflix, Kickstarter, and Tumblr, Wheeler announced a new plan that at last was pushed through today.

A Deep Split

The FCC seemed deeply divided along partisan lines after the close vote.

"We cannot have a two-tiered internet with fast lanes that speed the traffic of the privileged and leave the rest of us lagging behind," commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said at today's meeting. "We cannot have gatekeepers who tell us what we can and cannot do and where we can and cannot go online. And we do not need blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization schemes that undermine the internet as we know it."

"The action that we take today is an irrefutable reflection of the principle that no one, whether government or corporate, should control free and open access to the internet," Wheeler said, after voting for the plan.

"We are here because we want to give those with deep pockets and those with empty pockets the same opportunities to succeed," said Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, who also spoke strongly in favor of the order.

Both Republican commissioners, Michael O’Rielly and Ajit Pai, expressed their dismay. O'Rielly argued that the commission's decision-making power had been undercut for political purposes, and that in any net neutrality is unnecessary. Pai also contended that the commission could no longer act independently, had caved to President Obama, and that implementing this order will lead to "higher broadband prices, slower broadband speeds, less broadband deployment, less innovation, and fewer options for consumers."

The new rules will probably go into effect this spring, though both advocates and opponents are expecting further court battles surrounding its implementation.

More from News

Ted Cruz; Kelvin Sampson
Alex Wroblewski/AFP via Getty Images; Alex Slitz/Getty Images

Houston Fans Livid After Ted Cruz 'Curse' Strikes Again At NCAA Basketball Championship

In 2013, 2016 and 2021, Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz was labeled the most hated man in Congress—by members of his own party. In 2023, Florida Republican Representative Matt Gaetz replaced him as the "most hated."

In a 2016 CNN interview, South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said:

Keep ReadingShow less
Harriet Tubman
Library of Congress/Getty Images

National Parks Website Restores Harriet Tubman Photo To 'Underground Railroad' Page After Backlash

Following significant backlash, the National Park Service restored a previously-erased photo of Harriet Tubman from a webpage dedicated to the history of the Underground Railroad, in which she led 13 missions to rescue enslaved people.

A spokesperson said the changes were not authorized by the agency's leadership.

Keep ReadingShow less
screenshot from Fox News of Jackie DeAngelis and Tommy Tuberville
Fox News

Tuberville Now Claims 'Entire Men's Teams' Are 'Turning Trans' To Play Against Women

Alabama Republican Senator Tommy "Coach" Tuberville appeared on Fox News Sunday to again spread unhinged misinformation about transgender athletes.

Speaking with guest host Jackie DeAngelis, Tuberville stated:

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot from Last Week Tonight With John Oliver
Last Week Tonight With John Oliver/YouTube

John Oliver Epically Calls Out Awkward Truth Behind Former NCAA Swimmer's Anti-Trans Tirades

On Sunday's episode of Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, the outspoken host devoted the entire program to the attack on trans girls and women who play sports by the GOP.

Oliver began the program saying:

Keep ReadingShow less
man in front of computer code
Chris Yang on Unsplash

Conspiracy Theories That Seem Believable The More You Look Into Them

We tend to think of conspiracy theories as a phenomenon of the digital age. But the internet and mobile devices only allow them to be created and spread faster.

Conspiracy theories have likely been around as long as human civilization has. They are, at their root, just another form of rumors and gossip.

Keep ReadingShow less