In a rare breach with fellow racial and ethnic advocacy organizations, “UNITY: Journalists of Color,” representing blacks, Hispanics, Asians and Native Americans in the profession, are challenging several vanguard civil rights groups to endorse publically the Federal Communications Commission’s expressed intent to pass Internet Network Neutrality regulations.

The FCC ruling would ensure that all Internet users can access content and applications of their choice without being blocked or deterred by such telephone and cable giants as AT&T, Verizon and Comcast Key industry leaders oppose NetNeutrality. They want to require users to pay extra to enable their sites to be reached at the fastest speeds and to lead users to their online services.

NetNeutrality supporters say that poor people and communities of color will be dramatically disadvantaged if the industry giants get their way.

Unity’s lette, signed by the presidents of the four ethnic and racial journalists’ associations and UNITY president Barbara Ciara, states, “Opposing Network Neutrality opens the door to discrimination and works against freedom of speech and our ability to create and distribute our own media.”

Over the years, communications companies have been reliable financial supporters of civil rights groups’ conferences and programs. 

Nearly a dozen civil rights organizations that have either openly opposed or express skepticism about the FCC plan received letters from the Unity leaders this month.  Among them are such venerable, influential groups as the NAACP and League of United Latin American Citizens,

Non-white NetNeutrality supporters have suggested privately to Hispanic Link News Service that some old-guard groups are placing their organizations’ relationships and financial interests over those of the communities they profess to represent.

The presidents’ letter emphasized: “Without Net Neutrality, we run the risk of large phone and cable companies giving preferential treatment, better access and higher speeds to whoever can pay them the most. This would obliterate the Internet’s current level playing field and erect additional barriers preventing journalists of color from providing our community with the news and information they need to participate in a democratic society.

“Manifested in everything from riots to protest marches, we know firsthand the harm that our nation’s media system has caused to our communities. The influence of traditional media gatekeepers has caused our communities to be disrespected, ignored, unfairly used as scapegoats and stripped of an effective voice in the civic and political dialogue.

“We have a golden opportunity to avoid repeating the media’s mistakes of the past,” the letter concluded.

The journalists of color have a strong ally. On his recent trip to China, President Obama reiterated his support for Network Neutrality when he told students that the openness of the Internet in the United States is a major reason why he was elected president. “I've always been a strong proponent of open Internet use," he said. "The fact that we have...unrestricted Internet access is a source of strength.”

(Erick Galindo, of Washington, D.C., is editor of Hispanic Link Weekly Report. Email him at [email protected].)

©2009