The Open Internet Goes to Court + Save the Internet Action Alert

Dandelion Salad

NewAmericaFoundation on Sep 13, 2013

Image by sandy_sanders via Flickr

In Collaboration with Free Press

On September 9, the D.C. Circuit Court will hear oral arguments in Verizon’s lawsuit challenging the Federal Communications Commission’s Open Internet Order. This is a key moment that will shape the future of the open Internet. The outcome of the case is important to preserving the Internet as an open platform for free speech, civic participation, news and information, commerce and everyday communications. The case will also reopen the debate about whether the FCC has the authority to implement other broadband policy reforms.

The core principles of universal service, interconnection, nondiscrimination, privacy and free speech have been the foundation of U.S. communications policy for a century. These principles facilitated the development of a national communications network and fostered innovation and economic growth. The platforms and technologies over which communications flow have changed, but we must preserve and protect these fundamental values.

Unfortunately, many important programs and policies have suffered as the FCC has struggled to define the scope of the 1996 Telecommunications Act. These challenges have made it clear that we need to ensure these bedrock principles endure in the broadband age.

This event brought together experts to discuss their vision for a modern regulatory framework that is rooted in longstanding principles and also reflects the realities of an emerging broadband, IP-based communications infrastructure.

PARTICIPANTS

Susan Crawford
Professor, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
Former Special Assistant for Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy to President Barack Obama

Angie Kronenberg
Chief Advocate and General Counsel, COMPTEL
Former Wireline Legal Advisor for Acting FCC Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn

Marti Doneghy
Senior Legislative Representative, AARP

Matt Wood
Policy Director, Free Press

Steven Renderos
National Organizer, Center for Media Justice

Sarah Morris
Senior Policy Counsel, Open Technology Institute, New America Foundation

http://newamerica.net/events/2013/com…

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Take Action!

Save the Internet

FreePress.net

Everything We Love About the Internet Is at Risk

Powerful phone and cable companies are colluding with government agencies to trample on our rights to connect and communicate. These same companies grab every opportunity to raise our rates and pad their profits.

This week a federal court heard arguments in Verizon vs. FCC — the court case that could overturn the Federal Communications Commission’s Open Internet rules. If Verizon gets its way, the few rules protecting Internet users from corporate abuse will disappear. If that happens, we’re going to need to rally to save the Internet — for good.

We all love different things about the Internet, but we agree that corporations should not be gatekeepers to the Web.

Free expression, access to information, openness, innovation and privacy could soon disappear. Tell your policymakers to stand up and save the Internet.

via http://act.freepress.net/sign/Internet_sti_love/

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Updated: Sept. 16, 2013

The Internet Is Serious Business

Helki Frantzen May 20, 2009
http://vimeo.com/4758009

Have you ever wondered how the Internet’s physical infrastructure works? Who owns it and why that might matter? In the spring and summer of 2008, youth from New York City’s City-As-School worked with CUP and People’s Production House to investigate the politics of the Internet in New York City. The resulting video follows the adventures of an extra-terrestrial studying communications technology on planet Earth. The alien’s investigations bring her into contact with city council members, Verizon engineers, law professors, telco hotels, subterranean landlords, and packet switchers. Underneath the physical structures that move the data around, the alien discovers a pattern of ownership and regulation more shocking than she could have imagined.

To purchase a copy of this video (with an educator’s guide) for your institution or for yourself, contact valeria (at) anothercupdevelopment.org

see also

http://publicknowledge.org/

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of the Net Neutrality Oral Argument