US appeals court strikes down net neutrality, dealing blow to FCC

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Lauren Taylor Anchor

By Lauren Taylor (Anchor), Kalé Carey (Reporter), Jake Larsen (Video Editor)

A U.S. appeals court on Thursday, Jan. 2, blocked new rules governing internet service providers before they could take effect, delivering a setback to the Federal Communications Commission. The debate centers around giving federal regulators more control over internet companies through net neutrality policies.

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Net neutrality was established under President Barack Obama, reversed by then-President Donald Trump, and reinstated by President Joe Biden. It’s an achievement the Biden administration has highlighted during his four years in office.

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Democrats at the FCC want broadband services regulated like traditional telephone networks but with stricter oversight.

In April 2024, the FCC approved rules designed to make the internet equally accessible to all users. The rules also prevented major companies from abusing their power. It included a ban on providers slowing down internet speeds based on the type of websites people visit.

However, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the FCC lacks the authority to impose such rules. They cite federal law that classifies broadband as an “information service” rather than a “telecommunications service.”

The decision follows another case dubbed Loper Bright, which tossed out a doctrine, gave federal judges more powers and limited the ability of independent agencies to interpret unclear laws. The ruling marks a key moment in ongoing legal battles over federal oversight of internet service providers.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel called on Congress to pass new legislation, saying, “Consumers across the country have told us again and again that they want an internet that is fast, open, and fair.”

Republicans, meanwhile, have argued for less government involvement.

Trump’s pick for FCC chairman, Brendan Carr, thanked the court for its ruling. He said, “The work to unwind the Biden administration’s regulatory overreach will continue.”

Though Trump is not yet in office, the ruling points to his ongoing promise to roll back Biden’s policies on regulating private companies.

Tags: Barack Obama, Donald Trump, FCC, Internet, Joe Biden

RULES GOVERNING INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS ARE STRUCK DOWN BY A U-S APPEALS COURT BEFORE THEY COULD TAKE EFFECT, DELIVERING A BLOW TO THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION ON THURSDAY.

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THE DEBATE CENTERS AROUND GIVING FEDERAL REGULATORS MORE CONTROL OVER INTERNET COMPANIES THROUGH NET NEUTRALITY.

THE POLICY WAS FIRST INSTATED BY FORMER PRESIDENT OBAMA…REVERSED BY FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP, THEN PUT IN PLACE AGAIN BY PRESIDENT BIDEN.

AN ACCOMPLISHMENT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION POINTS TO DURING HIS FOUR YEARS IN OFFICE.

DEMOCRATS AT THE FCC WANT BROADBAND SERVICES TO WORK SIMILAR TO HOW TRADITIONAL TELEPHONE NETWORKS ARE REGULATED.

IN APRIL OF LAST YEAR…THE COMMISSION VOTED ON RULES TO MAKE THE INTERNET EQUALLY ACCESSIBLE TO EVERY USER AND STOP MAJOR COMPANIES FROM MISUSING THEIR POWER.

[Lauren Taylor]

INCLUDING A BAN ON PROVIDERS SLOWING DOWN INTERNET SPEEDS BASED SOLEY ON THE WEBSITE.

IN ITS DECISION, THE SIXTH CIRCUIT SAYS THE FCC DOESN’T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO IMPOSE THESE RULES.

POINTING TO FEDERAL LAW WHICH CLASSIFIES BROADBAND AS AN INFORMATION SERVICE, RATHER THAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS

THE RULING BY THE TRIO OF FEDERAL JUDGES FLEXES THEIR NEW POWERS AFTER THE LOPER BRIGHT CASE ENDED A DOCTRINE THAT NOW LIMITS FEDERAL AGENCIES ABILITY TO USE THEIR OWN INTERPRETATION OF UNCLEAR LAWS.

FCC’S CHAIRWOMAN IS CALLING ON LAWMAKERS TO CREATE A NEW LAW THROUGH CONGRESS… SAYING “consumers across the country have told us again and again that they want an internet that is fast, open, and fair.”

ON THE OTHER SIDE, REPUBLICANS ARGUE THERE SHOULD BE LESS GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT, TRUMP’S PICK FOR FCC CHAIRMAN THANKS THE COURT FOR THEIR RULING AND SAYS “The work to unwind the Biden Administration’s regulatory overreach will continue.”

ALTHOUGH NOT IN OFFICE YET, THE RULING EMPHASIZES TRUMP’S PROMISE TO ROLL BACK BIDEN’S POLICIES SURROUNDING THE REGULATION OF PRIVATE COMPANIES.

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M LAUREN TAYLOR