GOP Busted Using Cable Lobbyist Net Neutrality Talking Points

GOP Busted Using Cable Lobbyist Net Neutrality Talking Points

The GOP has been caught using talking points provided by the cable industry in their ongoing assault against net neutrality. Last week, as the FCC majority was voting to begin dismantling popular net neutrality protections, House Republican lawmakers received an email from GOP leadership on how to defend the decision. That e-mail included a "toolkit" (pdf) of misleading or outright false talking points that, among other things, attempt to portray net neutrality as "anti-consumer."

"All major internet providers strongly support a free and open internet," the packet falsely claims at one point. "Market and finance experts unanimously predict a massive drop off in investment under utility regulation," it incorrectly states in another section. "In practice, these regulations have proven to be anti-consumer," the authors bizarrely conclude.

The packet then comically cites a rotating crop of telecom-funded think tank studies and telecom-written op-eds as supporting evidence for these repeatedly-debunked positions.

"Want more information on the net neutrality discussion?" asked Washington state Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, chair of the House Republican Conference in the e-mail pushing the talking points. "Here is a nifty toolkit with news resources, myth vs reality information, what others are saying, and free market comments."

Rodgers failed to mention that the "nifty" package of pre-formulated ideas came directly from the cable industry.

According to analysis of packet metadata by the Intercept, the package was put together by Kerry Landon, the assistant director of industry grassroots at the National Cable and Telecommunications Association -- the cable industry's biggest lobbying and policy organization. The package was also circulated by Broadband for America, a lobbying coalition funded by most of the biggest broadband providers.

While everybody knows (or should know) that this is how pay-to-play government works, it doesn't make the episode any less grotesque. For its part, the NCTA was quick to insist in a statement that politicians parroting pre-scripted talking points while they ignore the desires of consumer constituents is just how this stuff works.

"NCTA is one of hundreds of organizations engaged in public policy on communications, technology and media and it is common practice to provide policymakers with information and background on key issues," said Joy Sims, a spokesperson for NCTA. "We are always happy to provide briefings, materials and other information to the media, policymakers and others."