We recently interviewed Drew Clark of the Center For Public Integrity, whose organization is working on a massive database that tracks who owns the media outlets in your neighborhood. As part of this effort, they've been trying to get the FCC to release their internal data on precisely how many broadband providers serve each zip-code, and how thoroughly. The group believes that access to that data will help consumers check the validity of the FCC's yearly broadband penetration reports, which many criticize as either poorly managed, intentionally skewed, or both.

After the FCC ignored a Freedom of Information Act request, the center filed suit (see their complaint here in pdf format). Today Drew published an article that notes the incumbent telco providers are working hard to prevent the release of that information, with the cable providers considering their own legal moves. All providers state the release of the information would cause "competitive harm."