U.S. House to vote on Net Neutrality

Tomorrow, the House of Reps is expected to vote on a telecom bill that has the potential to protect Network Neutrality. Rep. Ed Markey has co-written an amendment to the COPE Act (bill H.R. 5252) that would instate non-discrimination rules for internet accessibility (essentially telling network providers that they must allow equal access to all websites, and can't prioritize based on who writes them the biggest check), enforceable by the FCC. Even Moby thinks Net Neutrality is a good idea. C'mon, listen to Moby.

This is an important free speech issue, as a tiered version of the internet would mean that telecom companies could filter the information and websites you access, based on who they collect the most money from. If a content-neutral approach to internet accessibility is not protected by law, small, nonprofit websites (including the one you're reading right now) that can't afford to pay premium rates might load slowly on a busy day... or not at all. For an idea of what would happen if Washington does not protect Net Neutrality, check out this video, courtesy of Public Knowledge.

Please send a message telling your Rep/Senators to support Net Neutrality by using the form on this page.

Comments

[Red Bank Tom]

Liz, Tom from RedBankTV.org here, Congress isn’t the only place where we can fight for Net Neutrality. In New Jersey we have an opportunity to tell Verizon we don’t want their cable TV service if they plan on messing up the internet.

I’m asking Red Bank to push Verizon on the Net Neutrality issue and I’ve written to Governor Corzine as well, you can read my letter over at BlueJersey.net

If Net Neutrality is important to you then don’t wait for something to happen in Congress, tell you local town council to question Verizon’s plans for the internet when they come a knockin’, selling their new cable TV service.

Tom@RedBankTV dot org
http://www.redbanktv.org

[Robert Oschler]

Here's an animated parody music video I made on the Net Neutrality topic:

http://www.spokenring.com/net-neutrality-video.php

Thanks for helping to get the word out!