Who shapes network neutrality policy debate? An examination of information subsidizers in the mainstream media and at Congressional and FCC hearings

Authors:
Minjeong Kim;Chung Joo Chung;Jang Hyun Kim
Affiliations:
Department of Journalism and Technical Communication, Colorado State University, 1785 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1785, USA;Department of Communication, State University of New York at Buffalo, 359 Baldy, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA;Department of Speech Communication, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2560 Campus Road, George Hall 316, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
Venue:
Telecommunications Policy
Year:
2011

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Abstract

Recognizing policy-making process as a communicative process, this study examines who has subsidized information relating to the net neutrality policy debate. Empirical data has been collected from net neutrality stories published in four national newspapers, as well as from hearings by Congress and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), during the period of February 2004 through January 2009. Study findings reveal that corporate interests have played a significant role in subsidizing information on net neutrality, both to the public through the mainstream media and to legislators through Congressional hearings. Furthermore, study results show that experts played a larger role in defining net neutrality through the mainstream media and FCC hearings than they did through Congressional hearings. Finally, the role of advocacy group representatives was more apparent at Congressional hearings than via the other two available information channels.