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Stop Internet Privatization Scheme
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Progressive Portal
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Feb 13, 2006 18:00 PST
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** Corrected: A "More Information" link has been fixed **
CORPORATE GIANTS WOULD CONTROL WHAT YOU CAN DO ONLINE
IN SCHEME TO END INTERNET'S "NETWORK NEUTRALITY"
[From Common Cause <http://www.commoncause.org> and
FreePress <http://www.freepress.net>]
After destroying TV and radio by hoarding the public's airwaves for
profit, mega-media corporations have now turned to the Internet. They're
scheming to control what content you view, which services you use
online, and whether others can see the content you create.
The CEOs of the largest cable and telephone companies are hatching a
scheme that would allow them to make it too expensive for services like
ProgressivePortal.org to remain accessible over high-speed Internet
pathways -- or to block us outright. The "information superhighway"
would become a "toll road," and the corporate giants would decide who
pays how much.
Their plan would do away with the principle of "network neutrality" --
the principle that users should be able to access any content they want,
post their own content, and use any applications they choose, without
restrictions or limitations imposed by their Internet service providers
(ISPs).
If big media companies are allowed to limit the fastest services to
those who can pay their toll, upstart Web services, consumers, bloggers
and new media makers alike all could be cut off from digital revolution.
When large media companies are left to their own devices, the result is
always content and services that serve no one but themselves. An open
and independent Internet is the antidote to these predatory practices.
Take Action
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1. Tell the executives of the big media companies that you demand they
honor the principle of "network neutrality," providing equal access to
all types and sources of content on the Internet, not just high-paying
corporate sources:
http://www.commoncause.org/HandsOffMyInternet
2. Send a message specifically to the CEO of *your* Internet service
provider:
http://www.freepress.net/action/neutrality
More Information
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Background, additional actions, images for your Web site, news articles,
blogs, and more:
http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=1386967
Detailed background on "network neutrality":
http://www.freepress.net/netfreedom/
Article from The Nation, "The End of the Internet," with links to
industry White Papers detailing plans to restrict 'Net content and keep
track of users' Internet surfing:
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/31753/
Quotations from heads of media-giant companies determined to end
Internet freedom:
http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=1388061
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