Today, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Thomas Wheeler released a set of recommendations to modernize the affordable communications program called LifeLine. In his proposal, he emphasized the necessity of bringing 21st-century communications, including broadband, to those who cannot otherwise afford it. We at the Center for Media Justice, home of the Media Action Grassroots Network, applaud the chairman for his leadership and proposal to expand broadband access.

The following statement is from Malkia Cyril, executive director at the Center for Media Justice:
“The potential of the Internet is in decentralizing who can drive democratic governance in this country. The struggle for black lives is evidence of the social and political power of owning and controlling your own story. Yet there are still 100 million Americans who lack affordable access to the Internet and critical to addressing this growing divide and building a more participatory democracy is modernizing the Lifeline program.”

The following statement can be attributed to the voting-affiliate members of the Media Action Grassroots Network: 
“Affordable broadband is key to democracy in that it addresses deepening racial and economic disparities. Modernizing the Lifeline program and extending it to include broadband ensures that our communities — people of color, low-income families and rural communities — can access jobs, education and other essential needs.”