For Immediate Release: Wednesday, May 11
Contact: Christina DiPasquale, [email protected], 202.716.1953
Washington, D.C.—Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed the MediaJustice-supported nomination of Alvaro Bedoya as a commissioner on the Federal Trade Commission. Bedoya makes history today as the only Latino in a Senate-confirmed position at the FTC, FCC or Consumer Protection Bureau.
Commissioner Bedoya has been a long-time advocate for the public interest and his confirmation brings the public one step closer to a full panel of decision-makers on some of the most pressing issues confronting communities of color in the digital age.
Said Myaisha Hayes, Campaign Strategies Director at MediaJustice:
“When it comes to our systems of communications, Black and brown communities face a disproportionate amount of harm and now—for over a year—we have endured without a functioning Federal Trade Commission, compounding the harms of digital discrimination and digital redlining.
At MediaJustice, we recognize the FTC as a powerful body that can finally interrupt the status quo of predatory tech companies and their abuse of surveillance tools, steering us in the direction of progress. As a confirmed commissioner, Bedoya has the incredible opportunity to set regulations that respect and advance the rights of Black and brown communities in the digital age.
Commissioner Bedoya has worked alongside MediaJustice for seven years on the annual Color of Surveillance conference, a convening centered around Black and brown people to shape national conversations about data, privacy, and surveillance. The impact of now having an FTC commissioner who both understands and has lived the unique ways in which these issues impact marginalized communities is immeasurable.
We look forward to furthering the work that needs to be done with Commissioner Bedoya and we urge the Senate to capitalize on this momentum and confirm Gigi Sohn to the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC too plays a critical role in making sure everyone is connected and that media represents and meets the needs of local communities.”
MediaJustice is dedicated to building a grassroots movement for a more just and participatory media—fighting for racial, economic, and gender justice in a digital age. MediaJustice boldly advances communication rights, access, and power for communities harmed by persistent dehumanization, discrimination and disadvantage. Home of the #MediaJusticeNetwork, comprised of more than 100 grassroots partners, we envision a future where everyone is connected, represented, and free.
