If the speed of light is independent of motion of its emitter then that would be the same as saying that the speed of light is not constant relative to its emitter which, presumably, could move forward and backward along its beam without its velocity affecting the speed of the beam in the slightest. That would mean that the speed of light is not constant relative to its emitter so what is it constant relative to, a privileged frame called "empty space"?
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In the emitter's frame,the speed of the light is $c$ relative to the emitter, but not to you. In your frame, the speed of the light is $c$ relative to you but not to the emitter. In either frame the speed of light is constant relative to both you and the emitter (assuming you and the emitter are both inertial).
WillO
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My answer to my question is; empty space is a privileged frame, because it would have to be if the speed of light is independent of forward and backward motion of its emitter. There are only two possibilities, either the speed of light is constant relative to its emitter or it's not and is instead constant relative to something else, which would have to be empty space. Therefore, hopefully the empty space centered grid will be set up so people can navigate through space with reliable reference coordinates.