Press Release

December 6, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Timothy Karr, 201-533-8838

Candidates Klobuchar and Sanders Release Tech-Policy Platforms as the Internet Becomes Central Issue in 2020 Election

WASHINGTON — On Friday, Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Bernie Sanders released technology platforms as part of their respective presidential campaigns. The platforms include positions on Net Neutrality, universal broadband access, antitrust, network resiliency and other key election-year issues.

The senators join a growing field of presidential candidates who recognize that media-and-tech issues are a central concern among people across the country.

In June, Free Press Action released “Right to Connect,” a platform of recommended media-and-tech policies for all presidential candidates. Recommendations include policies on Net Neutrality, affordable internet access, sustainable local news, resilient communications networks, diverse media ownership, digital privacy, platform accountability and press freedom.

Free Press Action Policy Manager Dana Floberg made the following statement:

“We welcome proposals from all presidential candidates to ensure that media-and-technology policies serve the public, not corporate interests. Senator Sanders’ platform recognizes that the digital divide isn’t just a problem for rural communities, but also for low-income communities and people of color. He proposes promoting competition and lower prices to ensure universally affordable internet access. Free Press Action applauds this commitment to bridging the racial and economic divide that keeps so many of our most vulnerable communities offline, as well as Sanders’ support for investigating the disaster response in Puerto Rico and rebuilding resilient communications infrastructure.

“Senator Klobuchar’s plan, which endorses the recently introduced Consumer Online Privacy Rights Act, supports applying longstanding civil-rights principles to the internet to protect users’ privacy. The senator also calls for new laws to address digital discrimination, like the redlining and racial bias built into platform algorithms. We also appreciate Klobuchar’s restatement of her commitment to Net Neutrality, though we would welcome greater specificity on this issue.

“As the various contenders develop their positions, we're seeing people of all political stripes push back against the powerful corporate entities that are trying to seize control of the internet. Giants in the cable, wireless, internet, tech and media industries have ignored communities of color and low-income families for far too long. The next president must not only reverse this relentless assault on everyone’s communications rights but also put forth a bold vision for a more just and equitable future — and concrete steps toward achieving it. Free Press Action’s platform offers a roadmap to the media and technology we all deserve.”

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Free Press Action is a nonpartisan organization fighting for people’s rights to connect and communicate. Free Press Action does not support or oppose any candidate for public office.