Common Cause would like to thank the sponsors of the bipartisan "Internet Freedom Preservation Act 2008" (HR 5353) introduced yesterday by Reps. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Chip Pickering (R-Miss.). This legislation would protect "Network Neutrality" which is integral to the internet and other new communications technologies being a powerful tool for democracy.

Today, the average person with an internet connection has greater ability to speak their mind and participate in our democracy than ever before. Politicians spread their message and raise money at light-speed; organizations concerned about issues can alert their members to take action in an instant; citizens can learn more about issues than they ever dreamed of, and then they can discuss these issues and ideas with people from all over the globe.

All of this could be harmed if the principle of net neutrality is not protected. As a result of a 2005 decision by the Federal Communications Commission, net neutrality principles that have been in place since the inception of the internet were put in jeopardy.  

Net neutrality ensures that internet service and other communication network providers don't censor certain content because they disagree with the message or discriminate against certain content providers.   Already, Network providers have begun to engage in content and user discrimination Last year, AT&T censored an online concert by rock band Pearl Jam when the lead singer criticized President Bush. Comcast has admitted to degrading certain online communications without informing its customers and in the past has been accused of censoring political emails. Verizon prevented text messages from NARAL from going to customers who had requested the messages on the basis that Verizon thought they were "controversial."

Net neutrality means a free and open internet and the freedom to choose what content you read and what applications you use. The internet has always been an arena of democracy where every person could speak up and be heard and Congress can ensure this is protected by supporting the Internet Freedom Preservation Act of 2008.