Pai, a “reliable conservative” according to the Verge [1], has in the past opposed FCC’s major decisions of the recent years, ranging from establishing net neutrality to consumer privacy protection and restricting company mergers.
It seems therefore certain that one of the priorities of the new chairman will be rolling back the net neutrality rules that were ensured by FCC’s classification of high-speed internet service as utility last year [2].
Pai has previously said that he wants to reduce current FCC regulations, Recode reported [3]. Moreover, he has opposed the rules that prevent companies from owning both newspapers and broadcast stations in the same market, according to MediaPost [4], arguing that news media are more likely to be profitable when multiple platforms are available to the companies.
While net neutrality proponents have voiced concern over Pai’s nomination, David Chavern, President and CEO of the US newspaper trade group News Media Alliance, applauded the choice, singling out his position on newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership. ”Commissioner Pai has a history of intellectual honesty, and an appreciation for balancing consumer interests with incentives for investment, both of which are an integral part of serving the public interest,“ Chavern said.
