Washington, D.C. – TechNet, the national, bipartisan network of innovation economy CEOs and senior executives, sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee in advance of their planned markup of the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act (JCPA) expressing that the bill would undermine innovation and a free and open press. The following statement can be attributed to TechNet President and CEO Linda Moore:
“A free and open press is foundational to our democracy. The Internet and the rapid growth of technology have made it easier than ever before to find and read news and stay informed. Despite these increased opportunities for publishers to reach new audiences, the JCPA, despite being well-intentioned, severely misses the mark.
“The bill runs counter to changing preferences for how news is consumed and would undermine Americans’ ability to access and share news of their choosing. While JCPA’s goal is to promote the news industry, this bill would do the opposite by strengthening only the largest publishers while restricting access to news, limiting diverse viewpoints, and stifling innovation.
“We look forward to working with members of Congress on ways to protect a free and open press and ensure journalism is on a sustainable path for long-term success.”
You can read the full letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee here.