Public Knowledge

With a new year comes renewed calls to reform or repeal Section 230, the liability shield for platforms that host online content. But with these proposals come serious threats to freedom of expression for users. We need targeted, tailored solutions that not only reduce harmful content online, but encourage good-faith content moderation. Read more in the latest article from Public Knowledge Policy Director Lisa H. Macpherson:

FCC Chair Brendan Carr's investigation into DEI initiatives at Comcast is simply another chapter in his and President Trump's anti-DEI agenda — marking a significant reversal on decades-old telecom policies and ideals. Tenets promoting diversity in media and communications can be traced all the way back to the Communications Act of 1934, which created the Federal Communications Commission — values the new Chairman seems eager to abandon. Read the latest article from?Public Knowledge Broadband Policy Fellow Peter Gregory at the link below:

Today, Public Knowledge is announcing that Christopher Lewis, President and CEO of Public Knowledge, will embark on a 12 week sabbatical leave from March 10 to June 1. During Chris’s absence, the Public Knowledge Board of Directors has appointed Public Knowledge’s Chief of Staff, Meredith Whipple, as Interim CEO. Read our statements from Christopher Lewis as well as from Virginia Lam Abrams, Board Chair at Public Knowledge at the link below:

Independent, bipartisan commissions are essential for agencies like the Federal Trade Commission to fully protect market competition and consumer interests — but recent moves by the Trump admin put these under threat. Read the latest article from Public Knowledge Policy Counsel Elise Phillips on at the link below:

What happens to the bipartisan Digital Equity Act when all equity-related data is being scrubbed from government websites? Read the latest article from Public Knowledge Fellow Peter Gregory.

?? Today, President Trump signed an Executive Order that purports to place independent regulatory agencies – including the Federal Communications Commission and Federal Trade Commission – under his direct control. This action, based under the “unitary executive” theory, presents a grave threat to the rule of law and separation of powers that are fundamental to the constitutional order. Public Knowledge urges Congress, federal judges, and the Supreme Court to take action to reject this illegal expansion of executive power. Read our statement from Legal Director John Bergmayer at the link below: https://lnkd.in/eBqzyA8b

In the wake of a flurry of actions by the Republican-led government designed to suppress information and criticism, continued claims of censorship towards conservative voices are bound to ring hollow. Today, the House Judiciary Committee hosted its fourth?hearing?addressing what it calls “The Censorship-Industrial Complex” — a term that includes everything from content moderation on social media platforms to those who criticize of the actions of the Trump administration. Read the breakdown in the latest article from Public Knowledge Policy Director Lisa H. Macpherson below.

“The continued actions of President Trump’s Executive Order, Elon Musk, and other administration officials to drastically end or change key government agencies and programs has turned into lawlessness." Yesterday, President Trump issued an executive order to require the Office of Management and Budget and other federal agencies to submit plans to reduce the federal workforce — a move that ignores appropriations and programs passed into law by Congress, as well as court orders suspending the funding freeze at federal agencies. Read more from Public Knowledge President and CEO Christopher Lewis:

Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Democratic Members marked up and reported out the “Kids Off Social Media Act” to ban minors under 13 from using social media. This bill also prohibits social media companies from recommending content to users under 17 and requires schools to limit social media on their networks to avoid losing?E-Rate?funding. While this bill purports to protect minors, this bill risks their privacy, safety, & First Amendment rights, while also limiting student access to educational online platforms, and isolating students who rely on school-provided internet access and devices to connect and communicate. Read our statement from Government Affairs Policy Advocate L'Allegro Smith at the link below:

Today, Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr announced an investigation into whether NPR and PBS member stations have violated FCC rules through their underwriting practices, saying this could inform Congressional funding decisions. “This investigation continues a dangerous pattern of weaponizing the FCC’s regulatory authority to advance partisan goals. Rather than focusing on legitimate oversight priorities, Chairman Carr appears intent on using his position to pressure broadcasters, whose political coverage he has been critical of." Read our statement from Public Knowledge Legal Director John Bergmayer at the link below: