Lisa McCormick has championing internet fairness for two decades

In a digital age fraught with battles over access, control, and censorship, Lisa McCormick has emerged as a tireless advocate for internet fairness.

Over the past 20 years, McCormick has spearheaded efforts to safeguard net neutrality and uphold the principles of a free and open internet, earning recognition as a steadfast defender of First Amendment rights in the digital sphere.

McCormick's journey into the realm of internet advocacy gained momentum during the tenure of former FCC Chairman Michael Powell, whose efforts to diminish the regulatory authority of the FCC and pave the way for internet service providers (ISPs) to prioritize certain content sparked her commitment to preserving net neutrality.

She recognized the fundamental importance of treating all online content equally, regardless of corporate interests or affiliations, as well as putting limits on the consolidation of media ownership.

At its core, net neutrality ensures that ISPs treat all data traveling over their networks equally, without discrimination or favoritism toward specific apps, sites, or services. It prevents the creation of "fast lanes," censorship, throttling, or blocking of content, safeguarding the free flow of information online.

McCormick's advocacy for net neutrality has been unwavering, spanning across political divides and administrations.

In her efforts to promote internet fairness, McCormick has called out government officials who view their FCC positions as stepping stones to lucrative industry roles. She has condemned the cozy relationships between regulators and the very industries they are supposed to oversee, highlighting the need for accountability and transparency in policymaking.

Central to McCormick's advocacy is the recognition of the internet as an essential resource for modern life, a platform that should remain accessible and equitable for all.

She has worked alongside like-minded citizens and organizations such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Free Press, and Fight for the Future, rallying support for net neutrality and amplifying public awareness.

One of McCormick's notable endeavors was her involvement in the Save the Internet coalition, which mobilized individuals, businesses, and nonprofits to champion net neutrality as a fundamental principle. The coalition's efforts culminated in the Obama-era Open Internet Order of 2015, a significant milestone in the fight to protect the free and open internet.

Despite subsequent setbacks, including the repeal of the Open Internet Order in 2017 under the Trump administration, McCormick remains undeterred.

With the recent appointment of Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, the Biden administration has signaled its intention to restore net neutrality protections, a move supported by McCormick and others dedicated to internet fairness.

In the face of corporate influence and political opposition, McCormick continues to advocate for the reinstatement of net neutrality rules and the preservation of the FCC's regulatory authority.

McCormick also views media consolidation as a threat to democracy itself, as it undermines the ability of citizens to make informed decisions and hold their elected representatives accountable.

The centralization of Big Media not only makes it difficult for citizens to shape the narrative, but it may also hamper the truth, a fact brutally demonstrated to McCormick.

When the US Senate Ethics Committee "severely" admonished Senator Bob Menendez on April 26, 2018, CBS News falsely reported, "The filing deadline in New Jersey has passed, so Democrats have no choice but to stick with Menendez in the 2018 race."

On CNN, Chuck Todd said the same thing. Forty days later, Lisa McCormick got 159,998 votes, or nearly four of ten ballots cast in the Democratic primary.

"Establishment Democrats have been captured by the corporate aristocracy and it is time for a new era of responsible and compassionate leadership that prioritizes the well-being of all Americans, not just the wealthy and well-connected few," said McCormick, citing a corrupt merger of corporate wealth and government power. "Unfortunately, the corporate aristocracy has bought up control over the channels of communication that deliver upwards of 90 percent of our news and information just as American oligarchs have purchased the middle and both ends of the political spectrum."

When a handful of conglomerates control the majority of media outlets, there is a heightened potential for bias, censorship, and the promotion of corporate interests over public welfare.

She emphasizes the importance of grassroots activism and civic engagement in shaping policies that safeguard internet freedom and democracy.

McCormick recently lambasted Meta, Twitter, and YouTube after they removed 17 policies that had guarded against hate and disinformation, laid off more than 40,000 employees or contractors, with many of those job losses occurring on trust and safety teams, and implemented other policies that imperil the integrity of the U.S. presidential election.

As the battle rages on for net neutrality, the diversity of perspectives represented in the media, as we as truth, justice and the American way, McCormick remains at the forefront, a steadfast champion of internet fairness and the principles of freedom that necessitate an honest open debate.