The Bedrock of Free Speech Is Under Attack

When you turn on your computer or open your phone and begin browsing the web, you are used to being able to access any site or app you want. This is America! Blocking on-line content is something that happens in China or North Korea, isn’t it? No. It’s on the verge of happening here — to you. If the Trump Administration has its way, cable companies will be able to decide what you can and cannot see online. Comcast will have the same power authoritarian governments around the world exercise over their citizens. The reason is that Trump wants to allow your cable company to decide what messages get through the pipes of the internet quickly and easily, and which have to take much slower routes. This is a far bigger threat to freedom of expression than any silly tweet or comment at a rally. This goes to the core of how we communicate. Currently, Internet Service Provides (or ‘ISPs’ for short — basically the big cable companies) have to treat all internet content equally. That is the principle known as ‘net neutrality’. It means the ISPs have to be among all content providers. Netflix is treated the same as Amazon Prime. CNN the same as MSNBC, the same as Fox News. Your startup the same as Uber. neutral Trump wants to change that. Trump and FCC Chairman want to allow ISPs to discriminate among content providers. Some messages and content will arrive quickly and easily. Others may never arrive at all. It all depends on who pays more and what the ISPs want you can see. Ajit Pai Obviously, Time Warner, Verizon and the other ISPs support the administration in their efforts. They are doing some to get their way. If Trump does their bidding, they stand to make a lot of money — and will owe him for it. very shady things What do you think they’ll do with their newfound power? How will it impact your ability to gather information? To understand what is happening in the world? To communicate with your personal network or manage your small business? Here are THREE actions you can take to save the internet and the First Amendment: RIGHT NOW Comment on the FCC’s to end net neutrality (with pre-populated content) or for more substantial responses. The deadline is July 17th, so do it now. ONE: proposed rule here follow these instructions Call your congressman and the FCC using (with script provided!) or directly at (202) 418–1000 (Chairman Pai’s office). TWO: this link to join Amazon, Twitter, Netflix and Reddit and hundreds of other companies joining an internet wide “day of action” on July 12. This was a very effective tool the first time the battle for net neutrality was waged. THREE: Sign up here A very small sampling of resources to learn more: (4.5mm views, 20min) John Oliver’s Brilliant Monologue Fight for the Future’s Battle for the Net on Net Neutrality (3mm views, 4min, a bit older) A Funny Video describing how net neutrality is the standard in Europe (“Net Neutrality is the basis for a functioning internet” — 4min) A more serious video