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Greens to Congress: Save 'Net Neutrality' Green Party of the United States June 30, 2006 Contacts: Don't let big media corporations grab control of the Internet, say Greens. WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Green Party leaders called on Congress to reject pressure from telecommunications giants and vote down deregulatory legislation that would end 'net neutrality' and subject Internet users to restrictions imposed by these companies. "We call on all Americans who use the Internet to press the Senators and Representatives to reject any plan that gives companies like Verizon and AT&T control over our access to web sites, and to the news and information they provide," said Kathleen Culver, Green candidate for Congress in Tennessee's 7th District <http://www.Kate4congress.com>. Greens also urged Congress to preserve and expand public access television and low-power FM radio stations that serve community organizations, churches, schools, and emergency responders, and to maintain limits on the number of local media that can be owned by a single owner. "When Congress passed and President Clinton signed the 1996 Telecommunications Act, it placed more media outlets under the control of fewer corporations, and allowed cable companies to raise rates as much as 50 percent," said Michael Berg, Delaware Green candidate for the state's U.S. House seat <http://www.bergforcongress.us>. "Bipartison dedication to the power of Big Media has damaged the public's access to news and information from diverse sources, which is vitally necessary in a democracy. The Internet has maintained open access -- at least for those who are digitally literate and can afford computers and basic fees. But now the Internet itself is under attack with bills like SB 2686." Greens warned that ending net neutrality would give major Internet service providers like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast the power to impose limits on which sites Americans can visit, higher fees for less restricted access, longer download times for certain sites, and advertising that interferes with the ability to visit sites. If deregulation by Congress gives such companies control over access to the World Wide Web, news about Iraq War, the September 11 attacks, about alternative political ideas and movements (including the Green Party) will be subject to filtering according to corporate interests. "It's time to assert the public's ownership of the Internet and our right to enjoy unfettered access," said Art Myatt, who is seeking Green Party's nomination for the 12th Congressional District seat in Michigan. "The American people payed for it when the technology was developed with taxpayers' money during the Cold War. That means the American people own the internet just as they paid for and own the airwaves through which we receive TV and radio broadcasts." "It's time for Americans to recognize that deregulation and privatization are really theft of public resources by Democrats and Republicans who are in the pockets of telecommunications corporations. It's time to stand up to Big Media's attempt to grab control of the Information Superhighway," added Mr. Myatt. MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States "Cardin Votes For Corporate Control of The Net,
Zeese Calls for Independent Net; Voters! Wake-Up and Fight to Keep America's Virtual Main Street
Free From Big Business Domination" By Kevin Zeese, Maryland Green candidate for the
U.S. Senate
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