Campaign to Save Net Neutrality
by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)
Digital democracy is up for grabs in the wake of corporatist FCC chairman Ajit Pai and two Republican commissioners voting to end a free and open Internet in America.
They want its control handed to predatory cable and telecommunications companies - defying overwhelming public sentiment.
These companies want the Internet resembling cable TV - controlling content, creating fast and slow lanes, premium prices charged for high-speed access.
The scheme represents a step toward totalitarian control, America run powerful interests controlling the narrative, shutting off alternative views - where things are heading without digital democracy, the last frontier of free and open expression.
Battle for the Net.com explained the following:
A May 9 Congressional Review Act (CRA) Senate vote approaches - a “resolution to block the FCC’s repeal of net neutrality.”
A red alert for Net Neutrality awareness campaign is underway to push enough senators to support restoring Net Neutrality.
Thousands of prominent and small websites are involved. Etsy, Tumblr, Postmates, Foursquare, Twilio, Private Internet Access, Reddit, Mozilla, Vimeo, Gandi.net, FreePress.net, Demand Progress, Fight for the Future, and countless other popular sites are onboard.
Weeks earlier, the Electronic Frontier Foundation participated in a national Day of Action to push Congress to preserve Net Neutrality rules repealed by the FCC last December.
CRA enactment can override its ruling, no simple task, requiring majority support in both houses, a two-thirds congressional majority if Trump vetoes CRA - meaning many Republicans are needed to support Net Neutrality, a daunting challenge to get them onboard.
Organizations and activists for a free and open Internet launched the largest ever online campaign to save it - including millions of phone calls, emails, letters and tweets to lawmakers.
On May 9, the Senate will vote up or down on restoring Net Neutrality.
Deputy Director of Fight for the Future Evan Greer called the upcoming vote “the most important moment for net neutrality since the FCC repeal,” adding:
“Every Internet user, every startup, every small business - the Internet must come together to sound the alarm and save net neutrality.”
“We will finally force lawmakers to let us know if they stand with the 85% of Americans who support net neutrality - or with the cable companies that want to manipulate the internet in service of greater profits.”
Free Press Action Fund president and CEO Craig Aaron issued a statement, saying:
“Net Neutrality (has) overwhelming” public support “across the political spectrum…There’s only one” responsible course of action - enacting CRA into law, restoring Net Neutrality.
“The public will be closely watching who’s looking out for them and who’s only serving phone and cable lobbyists.”
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My newest book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."
