Net Neutrality is becoming an all-star event. Grammy-nominated musician Moby added his voice to Rep. Edward Markey’s (D-Mass.), ranking Democrat on the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, to demand that Congress reject upcoming legislation allowing telecommunications and cable giants to claim virtual ownership of the Internet.
Moby adds his voice to a number of pro-Net Neutrality celebrities that includes video vixen Alyssa Milano and adds his name to the Artists and Musicians for Internet Freedom petition that includes music stars R.E.M., Q-Tip, the Indigo Girls, Jill Sobule, Wilco, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, the Roots, and the Dixie Chicks.
Stances on the lack of Net Neutrality provisions in the COPE Act is a multiparty affair both inside and outside Congress. On Capitol Hill, democrats and republicans have worked with the telecommunications industry to block Net Neutrality allowances.
Meanwhile, Internet advocates (like Google and Microsoft, political groups on the right and left that include MoveOn.org, libertarians, Parents Television Council and Gun Owners of America), consumer groups, and over 600 diverse organizations in the SavetheInternet.com Coalition have petitioned against the block. They call Net Neutrality “the Internet’s First Amendment.”
“If Congress guts Net Neutrality, independent music and news sites would be choked off, consumer choice would be limited, and the Internet will be become a private toll road auctioned off by companies like AT&T,” said Moby. “We need to stand up for Internet freedom now. Congress must uphold Network Neutrality.”
“The legislation in the House of Representatives threatens the Internet as we know it,” said Rep. Markey, author of H.R 5273, “Save the Internet Act of 2006,” which would preserve the open architecture of the Internet and prevent companies from downgrading and discriminating regarding Internet access and services.”
Moby spoke at a live online event for Save the Internet.com to raise awareness of the issue. Along with the speech, viewers were presented with a congressional call-in number encouraging them to call their representatives.
“We are seeing a massive public outcry — the people joining together to save the Internet. Artists and musicians are part of this vast movement, as are the nearly 700,000 people who signed a petition, and the thousands calling Congress every day,” said Timothy Karr, campaign director of Free Press, which is coordinating the SavetheInternet.com Coalition.
“The American public won’t allow the Internet to be turned into just another cash cow for greedy corporations. Americans will be watching how their representatives vote on Internet freedom.”
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