Special Libraries Association Urges FTC to Reconsider Decision on Net Neutrality

FTC Position Fails to Protect the Public's Most Valuable Information Asset and Threatens an Open, Robust and Independent Internet

Alexandria, VA USA, 13 September 2007 -- Special Libraries Association (SLA), a nonprofit global organization for innovative information professionals and their strategic partners, called on the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to reconsider its decision to abandon Internet neutrality. In a letter to FTC Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras on 17 August, SLA called the Commission's June 2007 report entitled, "Broadband Connectivity Competition Policy," shortsighted, and the FTC's decision a threat to an open, robust and independent Internet. SLA urged the FTC to take another look at the Net neutrality issue.

The 170-page report accepted many of the arguments made by cable operators and telephone companies that government intervention was unjustified because competitive forces were producing many consumer benefits, including content innovations and network investment by access providers.

"The FTC has adopted the view that because the Internet is operating well today, there is no regulatory need to protect it tomorrow," said Janice R. Lachance, SLA's chief executive officer. "The Commission has taken the logic behind the saying, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it,' and has turned it completely on its head by seeming to suggest 'If it ain't broke, don't protect it.' Do we really want to roll the dice when it comes to the public's continued open-access to Internet applications and content? SLA thinks the answer is 'No'." she said.

The FTC report, which does not carry the force of law, is intended to guide policy on "Internet connectivity in general and Network neutrality in particular, as developed from meetings between the FTC Internet Access Task Force (formed in August 2006), various interested parties, and the FTC staff's independent research." The report contains a number of "Suggested Guiding Principles" for future policy creation.

In a June 2007 statement, Chairman Majoras said, "this report recommends that policy makers proceed with caution in the evolving dynamic industry of broadband Internet access, which generally is moving toward more - not less- competition." She continued, "In the absence of significant market failure or demonstrated consumer harm, policy makers should be particularly hesitant to enact new regulation in this area."

Lachance, a member of the U.S. delegation to the 2005 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), and a participant in the United Nations' Internet Governance Forum (IGF), is actively involved in efforts in the United States and internationally to ensure the Internet continues to remain independent and open in order to meet the needs of information professionals, librarians, their customers and the public.

"I understand the need for policymakers to be cautious about taking action on every possible problem the country faces," said Lachance, "if, however, the government had waited until our national wilderness areas had been blighted before protecting these scenic treasures, what would have been the point? The Internet may be a treasure of a completely different kind, but it merits our protection so as to ensure it remains open and accessible to all who can benefit from it," she said.

About SLA
The Special Libraries Association (SLA) is a nonprofit global organization for innovative information professionals and their strategic partners. SLA serves more than 11,500 members in 75 countries in the information profession, including corporate, academic, and government information specialists. SLA promotes and strengthens its members through learning, advocacy, and networking initiatives. For more information, visit us on the Web at www.sla.org.

About Janice R. Lachance, Esq.
Lachance is the 13th CEO of SLA, and a seasoned leader and communicator with more than 20 years experience in public service and governance. Before joining SLA, from 1997 to 2001, Lachance was the Director (CEO) of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the federal government's independent human resources agency. Appointed to this position by President Bill Clinton and unanimously confirmed by a bi-partisan U.S. Senate, Lachance provided policy and program leadership for 1.8 million federal employees.

Prior to becoming Director of OPM, she was the agency's Deputy Director (1997), Chief of Staff (1996-1997), and Director of Communications and Policy (1993-1996). Previously, she served as Director of Communications and Political Affairs and policy advisor for the American Federation of Government Employees, (AFGE) (1987-1993). She also has extensive experience working for members and committees of the U.S. Congress, where she served in various policy and management positions.

Lachance earned her Juris Doctor degree at Tulane University School of Law in New Orleans, Louisiana (1978) where she divided her time between study and local politics. She is admitted to practice law in the State of Maine and the District of Columbia as well as the United States Supreme Court. She has used her legal training as an ever-present aid to clear thinking and to craft and interpret laws, regulations and public policy. More details on her qualifications and philosophy are available here: http://www.sla.org/content/SLA/governance/bodsection/ceocorner/edbio.cfm

Notes to Editors and Reporters:

• To schedule an interview with SLA CEO Janice Lachance on the issue of Net neutrality and the impact these policy decisions may have on the future, contact SLA PR Director, Cara Schatz (703.647.4917 or cara@sla.org)
• View the letter from SLA to the FTC here: www.sla.org/PDFs/PublicPolicy/081707NetNeutrality.pdf
• Review the report "Broadband Connectivity Competition Policy" from the FTC here: http://www.ftc.gov/reports/broadband/v070000report.pdf

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