High  Plains  Reader  and  People’s  Press  Project  Statement  on  Net  Neutrality  

August  19,  2010  –  FCC  Public  hearing  on  Future  of  the  Internet  

I’m  Cindy  Gomez,  editor  of  the  High  Plains  Reader  ,  the  only  weekly  alternative  newspaper  operating  in  
the  Fargo-­‐Moorhead  region,  on  the  border  of  ND/MN.  

I  also  represent  the  People’s  Press  Project,  the  non-­‐profit  arm  of  the  newspaper,  which  is  a  media  justice  
organization  providing  media  training,  development  of  journalists,  and  media  access  projects  in  the  
community.  Both  the  High  Plains  Reader  and  the  People’s  Press  Project  are  members  of  Mag-­‐net.  

I’m  here  to  urge  the  FCC  to  implement  the  Universal  Broadband  plan  and  pass  strong  net  neutrality  
rules,  because  if  telecoms  are  allowed  to  run  the  internet  without  regulation  they  will  have  the  power  to  
snuff  out  independent  media.  For  example,  the  Fargo  Forum,  our  competitor,  is  a  large  newspaper  
which  owns  the  majority  of  the  media  in  the  region  (  TV,  Radio,  and  News).  They  are  also  an  ISP.  Many  
stories  that  are  not  picked  up  by  the  Forum  owned  media  outlets  are  only  seen  in  the  pages  of  the  High  
Plains  Reader.  

If  they  –  like  unregulated  telecoms-­‐  are  allowed  to  control  price  standards,  speed,  or  content,  they  can  
easily  silence  the  voices  of  independent  media  like  HPR  –  and  the  people  who  depend  on  us  to  tell  their  
stories.  

As  a  journalist,  I’m  also  concerned  that  many  telecoms  are  also  media  sources  or  ally  themselves  with  
political  groups.  Their  ability  to  restrict  unwanted  or  unpopular  news  is  very  frightening.    It  smacks  of  
censorship  and  big  brother.  

Lack  of  FCC  oversight  and  strong  rules  to  preserve  net  neutrality  will  also  set  back  the  work  of  the  
People’s  Press  Project  by  creating  a  cast  system  in  internet  users  –  with  those  who  can’t  afford  to  pay,  
being  left  behind.    

Telcom’s  can’t  have  it  both  ways!  We’ve  already  heard  and  will  hear  more  examples  of  telcom  abuses  –  
and  these  are  only  the  tip  of  the  iceberg.    

With  their  unlimited  resources,  telecoms  could  easily  afford  to  improve  their  networks  and  build  usage.    

If  they  are  allowed  to  skirt  their  responsibilities  to  customers,  they  will  cut  off  the  natural  growth  that  
should  exist  in  a  competitive  market.  Without  regulations  and  oversight,  why  would  telecoms  improve  
their  networks  if  they  can  instead,  just  dial  down  the  volume  to  their  customers?  Allowing  telecoms  to  
put  a  meter  on  the  internet  is  more  than  scary,  it’s  dangerous.  

A  danger  to  education,  communication,  innovation  and  small  businesses  like  the  High  Plains  Reader.  So  
today,  I  ask  you  to  ACT  NOW  to  stop  the  internet  from  becoming  a  “commodity  for  the  wealthy”  instead  
of  what  it  should  be  -­‐  -­‐  a  tool  for  all  people.