Net Neutrality Resources

Net Neutrality resources including a handful of links to timely stories and campaigns to learn more about the issues and the impact the current net neutrality fight has on our grantees and their own work.

“Net Neutrality ensures that all users can access the content or run the applications and devices of their choice. With Net Neutrality, the network's only job is to move data — not choose which data to privilege with higher quality service. The nation's largest telephone and cable companies — including AT&T, Verizon, Comcast and Time Warner — want to be Internet gatekeepers, deciding which Web sites go fast or slow and which won't load at all. They want to tax content providers to guarantee speedy delivery of their data. They want to discriminate in favor of their own search engines, Internet phone services, and streaming video — while slowing down or blocking their competitors.” — Save the Internet Campaign

Articles/ Op-Ed

• Center for Digital Democracy’s Jeff Chester writes about the current threats to net neutrality and how the large telecoms are structuring policy to control Internet networks and content.
• "Your Guide to Open Internet", a resource of Consumers Union
• New York Times Editorial endorsing Net Neutrality
• “Congress Wrestles with Net Neutrality” Consumer’s Union updates readers on the momentum of the Net Neutrality movement, as well as Congressional actions on the issue.
• Center for Digital Democracy’s Jeff Chester writes about the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s recent move to deny communities the right to negotiate contracts, and maintain some control over, cable franchise agreements with large telecom providers.
• Center for Creative Voices statement and letter on the Save the Internet campaign

Bills and Policy Statements

• Representative Ed Markey’s (D-MA) statement introducing the Network Neutrality Act of 2006.
• Joint statement of Free Press, Consumers Union and Media Access Project on HR 5417, the "Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2006". This bill introduced in the House Judiciary Committee would offer meaningful protections under the law for Network Neutrality – the guiding principle that ensures a free and open Internet. The bill is sponsored by House Judiciary Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.); Ranking Member John Conyers (D-Mich.); and Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) and Rick Boucher (D-Va.).

Resources

• Up-to-date information, policy battles, resources, and activist opportunities surrounding the net neutrality campaign are available at www.savetheinternet.com.
• Internet freedom activists, bloggers, and ninjas also offer PSAs in the fight for Net Neutrality in streaming video.
• "Untangling the Telecom Act,” a new resource that aims to cover emerging telecommunications legislation in a holistic way. It includes “Telecom Act 101” that outlines why these laws are being revamped, the key issues and players involved, and a glossary of often-confusing telecom terms. Also new is version 1.0 of the “Telecom Act Tracker” that outlines how existing bills treat the major issues at stake. Also included are links to actions that users can take and to other groups who are working on various aspects of telecom legislation.
• The Office of Communication of the United Church of Christ, Inc. announced the release of a unique brochure series designed to help educate the public about the role media play in shaping current issues. The "Why Media Matters" series of seven brochures is aimed at community groups, organizers and advocates, and show why organizing around media is essential in achieving broader social justice goals. Issues covered include net neutrality, media consolidation, and the digital divide. To download brochures in the Why Media Matters series see www.ucc.org
• Beyond Broadcast: Expanding Public Media in the Digital Age by the Center for Digital Democracy explores a wide variety of issues in the digital media landscape and offers a wealth of resources ranging from Municipal Wireless to new technologies to policy and legislation.
• Public Knowledge offers an overview of the net neutrality issue as well as links to blogs on the topic and more.
• Information and links form the Wikipedia site on Net Neutrality.