Reps. Praise Democratic Platform's Internet Pledge

Had called for strong language on Internet freedom and privacy

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 9/6/2012 12:23:09 PM

A quartet of Democratic reps whose constituents include major Silicon Valley players issued a joint statement praising the "robust" Internet freedom language in the Democratic Party's just-adopted platform.

Last month, Reps. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Doris Matsui (D- Calif.) and Jared Polis (D-Colo.) had called on the party to reaffirm its commitment to free online expression, privacy protections and innovative services. 

"I'm very proud that the Democratic Party has enshrined in its platform our commitment to Internet freedom," said Eshoo, whose district is home to Google and eBay. "A free and open Internet is a hallmark of American ingenuity. Representing Silicon Valley in Congress, it's especially gratifying to see a national party recognize that over the last 15 years venture capital funds have invested approximately a quarter of a trillion dollars in industries reliant on the Internet, including $91.8 billion on software alone."

Making good on President Barack Obama's pledge of Internet freedom language, the Democratic platform pledged to support "an open Internet that fosters investment, innovation, creativity, consumer choice, and free speech, unfettered by censorship or undue violations of privacy."