Statement on FCC Ruling: A Historic Win for Women and Media

WASHINGTON D.C. — The Women's Media Center applauds the actions taken by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today to preserve the Internet as an open platform for innovation and free expression.

The FCC’s move to treat both wired and wireless services as a utility is an important step in preserving the rights of free speech and innovation for all Americans. Millions of Americans who care about democracy, freedom of expression and social justice in a digital society have spoken up and the FCC has heard their voices.  

“This is an important and historic win for women in media, technology, and all women's voices,” said Julie Burton, president of the Women's Media Center. “Having access to a free and open Internet will preserve the diversity of voices in civil society in the mediums that we communicate. Companies will no longer be allowed to block, ban or slow down the content we see or stifle emerging voices.”

The Internet was initially built as an open mode of communication. In the 1990's, it grew to become an e-commerce platform, giving way to innovative companies like AOL, Facebook, Google, YouTube and Etsy. News outlets began using it to reach broader audiences and to include diverse stories. These companies would not have been successful if there existed a tiered Internet. Today, social media allows those that have been marginalized and discriminated against – especially women and people of color – to tell their own stories using various modes of multimedia.

We count on the Internet for communications related to every aspect of our lives, including economic stability, political action, news, health care, education, family and, in some cases, for safety as a method for support in moving families away from domestic violence. A two-tiered Internet would have placed women and minorities into an inequitable position.

Burton continued, "We applaud the FCC, particularly Chairman Tom Wheeler, Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioner Mignon Clyburn for their support for open, fair and equal access to the Internet for all."

The Women’s Media Center works to make women and girls visible and powerful in the media through strategic programs that transform the media landscape, and that include media training, media monitoring and activism, media reports, media programs, an expert database (WMC SheSource) and special initiatives.

For more information, contact Cristal Williams Chancellor cristal@womensmediacenter.com or 202-587-1636.