Broadband Access

U.S. Media

•

14 days

Summary

sources
42
Narrative Items
57
Bottom Line Up Front

42 sources in U.S. Media are amplifying 57 narrative items relating to the narrative that Senate Republicans, spearheaded by John Thune, are advocating for the removal of "woke" and climate-related regulations. They assert that these regulations impede the BEAD broadband program's effectiveness, linking regulatory reform to enhanced internet access and program success.

Reviewing a number of the most relevant narrative items indicates that Breitbart presents the events surrounding Senate Republicans' push against the Biden administration's regulations in a highly favorable light. The tone is assertive, portraying the Republican endeavor as a necessary and urgent reform to realize the potential of the $42.5 billion BEAD broadband program. Language such as "woke" and "climate-related regulations" is used to evoke a sense of urgency and frustration, appealing to conservative values while implicitly critiquing the current administration's policies. This choice of language suggests a clear agenda, aiming to rally support among like-minded readers by framing the regulations as obstacles to progress. In contrast to more neutral media coverage, Breitbart employs emotionally charged words that evoke skepticism towards government intervention, highlighting a clear bias against the current administration. Overall, this coverage serves to galvanize the Republican base by emphasizing the perceived necessity of deregulating broadband access under the guise of promoting efficiency and expansion.

About This Module

The U.S. Media module tracks a broad range of American media sources, including major television, cable, print, and online organizations.

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Sources

Sources by Type
Sources of these types represent most of the amplification activity around this narrative
Created with Highcharts 11.1.0Chart context menuLeft-Center​Bias ​37.5%​Left-Center​Bias ​37.5%Least​Biased ​26.8%​Least​Biased ​26.8%Right Bias ​14.3%​Right Bias ​14.3%Right-​Center Bias ​10.7%​Right-​Center Bias ​10.7%Left Bias ​10.7%​Left Bias ​10.7%
sources by Volume
These sources are amplifying the most items involved in this narrative. Click to see details of each source's narrative activity.
Created with Highcharts 11.1.0Chart context menuCNET ​10.5%​CNET ​10.5%Techdirt ​5.3%​Techdirt ​5.3%East Bay​Times ​3.5%​East Bay​Times ​3.5%San Jose​Mercury​News ​3.5%​San Jose​Mercury​News ​3.5%Washington​Monthly ​3.5%​Washington​Monthly ​3.5%Bizpac​Review ​3.5%​Bizpac​Review ​3.5%Times of​San Diego ​3.5%​Times of​San Diego ​3.5%Yahoo!​News ​3.5%​Yahoo!​News ​3.5%Rest of​World ​3.5%​Rest of​World ​3.5%ArcaMax ​3.5%​ArcaMax ​3.5%KSAT 12 ​1.8%​KSAT 12 ​1.8%Washington​Times ​1.8%​Washington​Times ​1.8%WTOP ​1.8%​WTOP ​1.8%Salem Radio​Network​News ​1.8%​Salem Radio​Network​News ​1.8%Bangor​Daily News ​1.8%​Bangor​Daily News ​1.8%KRGV​Channel 5​News ​1.8%​KRGV​Channel 5​News ​1.8%Biloxi Sun​Herald ​1.8%​Biloxi Sun​Herald ​1.8%KVIA ABC-7​News ​1.8%​KVIA ABC-7​News ​1.8%The Week ​1.8%​The Week ​1.8%California​Globe ​1.8%​California​Globe ​1.8%Benzinga ​1.8%​Benzinga ​1.8%Business​Insider ​1.8%​Business​Insider ​1.8%San Luis​Obispo​Tribune ​1.8%​San Luis​Obispo​Tribune ​1.8%Daily​Climate ​1.8%​Daily​Climate ​1.8%Breitbart ​1.8%​Breitbart ​1.8%Other ​29.8%​Other ​29.8%
Top sources
Day-by-day volumetric activity of sources amplifying the most items around this narrative
CNET
11% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
Created with Highcharts 11.1.0Mar 26Mar 28Mar 30Apr 1Apr 3
Techdirt
5% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
Created with Highcharts 11.1.0Mar 26Mar 28Mar 30Apr 1Apr 3
Times of San Diego
4% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
Created with Highcharts 11.1.0Mar 26Mar 28Mar 30Apr 1Apr 3
Washington Monthly
4% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
Created with Highcharts 11.1.0Mar 26Mar 28Mar 30Apr 1Apr 3
San Jose Mercury News
4% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
Created with Highcharts 11.1.0Mar 26Mar 28Mar 30Apr 1Apr 3
East Bay Times
4% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
Created with Highcharts 11.1.0Mar 26Mar 28Mar 30Apr 1Apr 3
ArcaMax
4% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
Created with Highcharts 11.1.0Mar 26Mar 28Mar 30Apr 1Apr 3
Bizpac Review
4% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
Created with Highcharts 11.1.0Mar 26Mar 28Mar 30Apr 1Apr 3
Yahoo! News
4% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
Created with Highcharts 11.1.0Mar 26Mar 28Mar 30Apr 1Apr 3
Rest of World
4% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
Created with Highcharts 11.1.0Mar 26Mar 28Mar 30Apr 1Apr 3
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Top Items

These narrative items are the most relevant and/or the most amplified. Click to see details and suggested messages.
Amplifiers:
Breitbart
breitbart.com
Exclusive: John Thune, GOP Call to Unleash Broadband Development from Biden Regulations
Senate Republicans, led by John Thune, urged Commerce Secretary Lutnick to eliminate "woke" and climate-related regulations hindering the $42.5 billion BEAD broadband program. They argue these regulations, added by the Biden administration, increase costs, slow deployment, and contradict the program's goal of expanding internet access. The Republicans believe removing these obstacles will finally allow the program to succeed.
Amplifiers:
LifeZette
lifezette.com
Jon Stewart Left Speechless Over Dems $40 Billion Broadband Boondoggle [WATCH]
Jon Stewart was shocked by the slow rollout of the $40 billion rural broadband initiative. Ezra Klein detailed the 14-step process, riddled with bureaucratic hurdles and resulting in minimal progress three years after the law's passage. Stewart criticized the self-imposed setbacks, highlighting the program's inefficiency.
Amplifiers:
Techdirt
techdirt.com
Supremes Hint They May Reject Bid (By Fake Consumer Group) To Make FCC Low Income Broadband Subsidies Illegal
The Supreme Court may reject a lawsuit by a fake consumer group aiming to eliminate the $8 billion Universal Service Fund (USF), which subsidizes broadband for low-income Americans. While the Court has a conservative majority, justices reportedly expressed reservations. The author suspects this is a Republican ploy to shift the USF into a new tax on tech companies, benefiting telecom monopolies, rather than genuinely bridging the digital divide.
Amplifiers:
Democracy Now
democracynow.org
Robert McChesney, Free Press Co-Founder and Staunch Defender of Media and Democracy, Has Died
Robert McChesney, Free Press co-founder and renowned media democracy advocate, died at 72. A prolific author and University of Illinois professor, McChesney tirelessly fought for digital rights and criticized corporate control of media and internet access.
Amplifiers:
KVIA ABC-7 News
kvia.com
How a Supreme Court case threatens the ‘luxury’ of the internet in libraries, schools and hospitals
A Supreme Court case threatens the Universal Service Fund, which subsidizes internet access for schools, libraries, and hospitals. This $7 billion program, challenged as an unconstitutional delegation of power, could be drastically reduced, impacting millions lacking home broadband and exacerbating the digital divide. The court's decision, expected by June, will determine the future of vital internet access for vulnerable communities.
Amplifiers:
East Bay Times
eastbaytimes.com
How a Supreme Court case threatens the ‘luxury’ of the internet in libraries, schools and hospitals
A Supreme Court case challenges the $7 billion Universal Service Fund, which subsidizes internet access for schools, libraries, and hospitals. A conservative group argues it's an unconstitutional tax and violates separation of powers. The ruling could drastically reduce internet access for low-income Americans and harm rural communities, impacting vital services like telehealth and education.
Amplifiers:
San Jose Mercury News
mercurynews.com
How a Supreme Court case threatens the ‘luxury’ of the internet in libraries, schools and hospitals
A Supreme Court case threatens the Universal Service Fund, which subsidizes internet access for schools, libraries, and hospitals. A conservative group challenges the fund, arguing it's unconstitutional. The case could cut billions in funding, impacting low-income communities and exacerbating the digital divide, while proponents argue Congressional gridlock would worsen the situation.
Amplifiers:
Daily Climate
dailyclimate.org
U.S. infrastructure sees small gains from Biden-era funding but major gaps remain
A new report gives US infrastructure a "C" grade, a slight improvement due to recent federal investments but still significantly short of the $3.7 trillion needed over the next decade. Aging systems, exacerbated by climate change, necessitate urgent upgrades to address widespread issues and inequalities. The future of funding remains uncertain.
Amplifiers:
The Week
theweek.in
Vi partners with Bengal govt's export body to boost MSME digital transformation
Vodafone Idea (Vi) partnered with West Bengal's export body to digitally empower MSMEs. This collaboration will provide localized digital tools, training, and webinars in Bengali, aiming to boost the state's MSME sector, which employs over 10 million people and contributes significantly to India's GDP.
Amplifiers:
Gothamist
gothamist.com
Cuomo had a rocky relationship with local leaders. Now he wants to be NYC mayor.
Andrew Cuomo's mayoral bid faces scrutiny over his strained relationships with local leaders during his governorship. Critics cite a transactional approach and disregard for local authority, while supporters highlight his effectiveness in achieving policy goals. His handling of the pandemic and disputes over power further fuel skepticism about his suitability for the NYC mayoralty.
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Entities

Tap or click for details
These entities are mentioned most frequently in the narratives highlighted in this brief. Click to see details of narrative activity related to each one.
People
John Thune
U.S. Senator from South Dakota and a leader among Senate Republicans.
Lutnick
Commerce Secretary urged by Senate Republicans to eliminate certain regulations.
Technologies
Broadband
High-speed internet access that is essential for modern communication and services.
Organizations
Biden administration
The current administration under President Joe Biden, responsible for implementing regulations.
Events
BEAD broadband program
A $42.5 billion program aimed at expanding internet access.
People
John Thune
U.S. Senator from South Dakota and a leader among Senate Republicans.
Lutnick
Commerce Secretary urged by Senate Republicans to eliminate certain regulations.
Technologies
Broadband
High-speed internet access that is essential for modern communication and services.
Organizations
Biden administration
The current administration under President Joe Biden, responsible for implementing regulations.
Events
BEAD broadband program
A $42.5 billion program aimed at expanding internet access.

Context

The debate surrounding the BEAD broadband program highlights significant social and economic issues in the United States, particularly regarding access to technology and the digital divide. Demographically, rural and underserved communities often lack reliable internet access, which can hinder educational and economic opportunities. The push by Senate Republicans to eliminate regulations perceived as "woke" or climate-related reflects a broader political divide over the role of government in regulating industries and addressing social issues.

Economically, the $42.5 billion BEAD program aims to expand broadband access, which is crucial for modern economic participation. High-speed internet is increasingly seen as a necessity for businesses, education, and telehealth services. However, the Republicans argue that the added regulations increase costs and slow down deployment, potentially exacerbating existing inequalities in internet access.

Geographically, the U.S. has vast rural areas where internet infrastructure is often lacking. This geographical disparity poses challenges for equitable broadband deployment, as private companies may be less incentivized to invest in less profitable rural markets.

From a national security perspective, reliable internet access is essential for communication and information sharing, particularly in times of crisis. The ability to access information quickly can impact public safety and emergency response.

Overall, the ongoing debate over the BEAD program encapsulates broader issues of governance, economic equity, and the role of technology in society, reflecting the complexities of addressing infrastructure needs in a diverse and divided nation.
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World Events
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