A Fair and Open Internet: Stealthy Opponents

[Guest guest]

A Fair and Open Internet: Stealthy Opponents

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 13:08:29 -0800

Lauren Coletta, Common Cause <CauseNet

<CauseNet

 

 

 

Dear D....,

 

The battle for the future of the Internet has begun.

 

On the side of openness and freedom, a new bill in the Senate, called

the " Internet Non-Discrimination Act, " would prohibit Internet service

providers from interfering with your ability to access whatever web

content or services you choose.

 

But the the giant telecom companies are fighting back with all the

tools at their disposal - including creating front groups and fake

grassroots (or " Astroturf " ) organizations.

 

Common Cause is about to issue a report exposing nine organizations as

industry front groups , the first in a three-part series exposing

industry attempts to misguide the public and wield their considerable

influence over policy-makers.

 

We need your financial help to keep up the fight for a fair and open

Internet, a critical part of our campaign for media reform.

 

http://www.commoncause.org/KeepInternetOpen

 

Our report will tell you what's at stake in telecom reform, and will

shine a light on the underhanded tactics of the big telecom

corporations. With your help, we can keep the pressure on and make

sure that Congress hears from more than just big-money corporate

interests.

 

We are always up against great odds in our fight for reform in

Congress. We'll always be outspent, and they will always have an army

of highly-paid lobbyists. As you know, telecommunications firms are

among the most profitable in the country - they can afford to try

overwhelm us in this fight. With your help, we'll be able to stand up

to them. Please donate generously:

 

http://www.commoncause.org/KeepInternetOpen

 

Your support will allow us to keep up the heat on Congress and the

telecoms. Thank you for all you do for Common Cause.

 

Sincerely,

 

The Common Cause Media Reform Team

Lauren Coletta, Celia Wexler and Dawn Holian

 

 

P.S We've posted an excerpt from the report on our blog:

http://www.commonblog.com/story/2006/3/21/122741/964.

 

Washington is being flooded with commercials and ads from the telecom

companies, trumpeting all the wonderful benefits to consumers if

Congress does the telecom companies' bidding. We think this is an

important exposé of their strategy. Thanks for your help.

http://www.commoncause.org/KeepInternetOpen