Demand Free Flow of Information on the Internet

Demand Free Flow of Information on the Internet 

Target: Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Boehner

Goal: Ensure that the Internet retains free flow of information for all

Summary: Large Internet service provides are fighting for paid prioritization for limited content on the Internet. This causes potential for a two-tiered system which would discriminate against small companies and limit freedom of speech on the Internet. Join us in urging Congress to fight for net neutrality in principles to ensure that the Internet retains free flow of information for all.

The advent of the Internet marked the beginning of an era where anyone, regardless of socio-economic status, skin color, age, or any other demographic variable, could in theory have access to an infinite supply of information. Of course, access to the Internet is still prone to barriers tied up in some of these factors (for instance, the World Bank reports that you are up to 10 times less likely to have access to a computer in a developing country like Eritrea compared to the United States). However, the potential for free access to information and therefore education has never been so promising.

Now large companies which act as Internet service providers are fighting for an end free access to information by offering faster access to content for large companies who will pay for it. Congress is currently sitting on a bill that would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ban such "fast lane" practices. Such a change in how we construe access to information on the Internet would overhaul principles of net neutrality--but what's all the fuss about?

Proponents of net neutrality support the notion that content on the Internet deserves equal treatment--that is, Internet service providers should not be allowed to selectively promote some content but not other content. According to a poll conducted on Consumerist.com, a majority of the U.S. population supports principles of net neutrality. Along with them, tech companies ranging from giants like Google to tiny start-up companies recognize the perils of neglecting principles of net neutrality. As the tech website SFGate reports, "The tech world says that abolishing net neutrality would make it more difficult for disruptive companies to challenge entrenched competitors… (and) the change would create a two-tiered Internet with a fast lane for those who can pay more and a slow lane for everyone else."

Join concerned Americans in their plea for net neutrality and thereby an assurance of free content, and free speech, on the Internet. Urge Congressman members to keep the Internet a fair and free place where information can be exchanged without obscene privilege.

PETITION LETTER:

In a letter to the House Judiciary Committee, members of the Consumers Union write, "With the Internet becoming ever-more central to American life, it is essential that we not devolve into a two-tiered society where some get special preference over others." They also note that net neutrality may not always be protected by a class of "antitrust laws" which are put in place to protect consumers and ban or restrict certain business practices (for instance, they may ban monopolies in some situations, so that one company doesn't have all the power over a certain type of commerce). That is, additional measures are necessary to ensure that net neutrality, and freedom of information flow, is upheld.

The Internet is currently a place for opportunity. Start-up companies may receive funding by crowd-sourcing, a technique which has never been so accessible to individuals as now. An end to net neutrality could mean an end to this venue for young companies to fundraise and spread the word, leading to an increase in power for already-powerful large companies.

I urge you to consider how such "fast lane" access to content for large companies would affect Americans. Please use your power to encourage others to uphold bills put in place to ban such "fast lane" paid prioritization agreements.

Sincerely,

[Your name here]

Image source: M3Li55@ via Flickr