WGAW Commends FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler for Proposing New Rules for Protecting the Open Internet

Contact: Gregg Mitchell (323) 782-4574
Writers Guild of America West President Chris Keyser has issued the following statement regarding Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler's proposal for new rules that protect the open Internet:

LOS ANGELES -- Writers Guild of America West President Chris Keyser has issued the following statement regarding Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler's proposal for new rules that protect the open Internet:

"The news from FCC Chairman Wheeler today, confirming his intention to reclassify broadband Internet access under Title II of the Communications Act, is a victory for all Americans. Recognizing that the Internet should be regulated like the phone lines and that rules should be equally applied to wired and wireless Internet service means that the future of this democratic platform need not be put in the hands of a few powerful gatekeepers. Millions have weighed in, including many WGAW members who understand that openness and nondiscrimination must govern the Internet to ensure that free speech, competition and innovation continue to flourish. We commend the Chairman for recognizing these truths and look forward to seeing the full rules. Reclassification is a vital first step, and the WGAW will continue the work of protecting an open and competitive Internet."

The Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) is a labor union representing writers of motion pictures, television, radio, and Internet programming, including news and documentaries. Founded in 1933, the Guild negotiates and administers contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of its members. It is involved in a wide range of programs that advance the interests of writers, and is active in public policy and legislative matters on the local, national, and international levels. For more information on the WGAW, please visit: www.wga.org.