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 neutral 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.
Trump wants to change that. Trump and FCC Chairman Ajit Pai 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.
Obviously, Time Warner, Verizon and the other ISPs support the administration in their efforts. They are doing some very shady things to get their way. If Trump does their bidding, they stand to make a lot of money — and will owe him for it.
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 RIGHT NOW to save the internet and the First Amendment:
ONE: Comment on the FCC’s proposed rule to end net neutrality here (with pre-populated content) or follow these instructions for more substantial responses. The deadline is July 17th, so do it now.
TWO: Call your congressman and the FCC using this link (with script provided!) or directly at (202) 418–1000 (Chairman Pai’s office).
THREE: Sign up here 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.
A very small sampling of resources to learn more:
John Oliver’s Brilliant Monologue (4.5mm views, 20min)
Fight for the Future’s Battle for the Net
A Funny Video on Net Neutrality (3mm views, 4min, a bit older)
A more serious video describing how net neutrality is the standard in Europe (“Net Neutrality is the basis for a functioning internet” — 4min)