STOP THE LINK AMBUSH

With only 24 hours before a final vote that could see an unfair tax put on some of your favourite sites online, the future of Internet freedom is in your hands. Share this image on Facebook and Twitter right now to let decision-makers know you expect them to reject this 'link tax' ambush!

Take Action!

Friend--we’re walking into a ‘link tax’ ambush! We have only 24 hours to get the message out–will you share this image on Facebook and Twitter to make lots of noise and help raise the alarm now?

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This is unbelievable. On the heels of a major victory, powerful anti-Internet forces have redoubled their efforts and won’t rest until they’ve imposed their backwards vision for the future of the Web on all of us.

We stopped their link censorship scheme last vote¹ because people like you spoke out in huge numbers. But anti-Internet ranks are growing. First we had Cavada,² now a dangerous new coalition of anti-Internet forces pushing for this ‘link tax’ that could ruin the Internet we love.

We can't stand for it. If we let this amendment pass, many of your favourite websites could be saddled with paying this discriminatory and unfair tax–just for linking.

Share this campaign on Facebook and Twitter to sound the alarm now. If enough of us speak out in the next 24 hours they will drop their outrageous ‘link tax’ ambush.

This anti-Internet coalition is bringing their bad policy back for a crucial full plenary vote. Scared by our victory, they’re ramping up their efforts and using every trick in the book to ram through anti-Internet amendments that could set the stage for the ‘link tax’.

We need to show that we have staying power, and that we won’t be ambushed. We have a positive vision for free expression online and will work to see it implemented.³ Share this campaign to make sure as many people as possible hear about the ‘link tax’ ambush.

Last vote, a huge majority voted against this scheme,⁴ but a powerful anti-Internet coalition has now raised this issue from the dead, and is now trying to force this unpopular scheme on the EU, affecting the entire Internet.

This is the final vote before this plan will be adopted,⁵ and we will either see new rules adopted for a vibrant, inclusive digital future, or a backwards anti-Internet plan. Which would you prefer?

We held them off last time so we know it’s working. We also know that the more people learn about the right to link and dangerous link censorship schemes the more they speak out and push back. Share this image on Facebook and Twitter to amplify our voices.

We have 24 hours: stand together with us today, and Save the Link.

Let’s remain connected through links,

-Meghan, on behalf of the OpenMedia team

PS: Our fight to stop link censorship is powered by concerned Internet users like you. Your support makes our campaign possible --power up our fight to stop a regressive link tax by chipping in today with a donation. Your support enables us to keep speaking out against threats to the open Internet.

Footnotes
[1] A victory in our fight to Save the Link. Source.
[2] Anti-Internet MEP Jean-Marie Cavada has proposed *literally dozens* of terrible amendments on the Reda report. Learn more about them here. (He’s also at the centre of a debate about the right to freely take and share outdoor photos.)
[3] The Our Digital Future report was shaped by over 300,000 Internet users from 155 countries across the globe. Read more about it here.
[4] The Controversial Ancillary Copyright For Press Publishers Takes Two Big Hits. Source: CCIA.
[5] Last-minute attempt to sneak “snippet tax” into copyright report. Source: Julia Reda.

We are an award-winning network of people and organizations working to safeguard the possibilities of the open Internet. We work toward informed and participatory digital policy. You can follow us on Twitter, and like us on Facebook. We rely on donations from people like you to operate. Even the smallest contributions go a long way to make your voice heard.  Please consider donating today.

The TRUTH will set you FREE.

Millions of U.S. Broadband Subscribers Are Experiencing Artificial Internet Brownouts

Millions of U.S. Broadband Subscribers Are Experiencing Artificial Internet Brownouts

Natalie Nicol

Net NeutralityThe FCC and Media Policy

On the day of the FCC’s historic Open Internet vote, Chairman Tom Wheeler announced that in addition to enacting the strongest Net Neutrality rules ever, the agency’s order would contain important provisions pertaining to interconnection.

This was welcome news for consumers and businesses that have endured widespread Internet “brownouts” stemming from the artificial congestion Internet service providers have created at network interconnection points. Far too often, customers have been unable to access the content they’ve requested at the speeds they pay their broadband providers to deliver.

Last year’s highly publicized Netflix disputes with ISPs were not the end of the story. And the FCC’s language about interconnection is not a cure-all for these kinds of anti-consumer practices. In fact, real-world experience shows that the problem remains very real today. The FCC needs to take a close look at the dramatic impact interconnection issues have on broadband end-users’ experience — and it needs to follow through and act as quickly as possible.

Data from Measurement Lab, which Ars Technica highlighted just after the FCC released its Open Internet Order, show that these massive slowdowns are an ongoing problem for customers of the nation’s largest ISPs. Consumers are being held hostage while ISPs try to extract a ransom from other carriers and Internet content providers.

Interconnection Is What Makes the Internet Work ... Until It Doesn’t

READ MORE

The TRUTH will set you FREE.

Protect Internet freedom

Dear Friend,  Four million comments to the FCC, a record number, have made an impact. Just last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that the FCC has abandoned the undemocratic, corporate-championed proposal on net neutrality the agency announced in May. The bad news is that the commission is reportedly considering a “hybrid” plan that could still leave us with exactly what we don’t want: fast lanes for the 1% and slow lanes for everybody else. Advocates for net neutrality agree: the only way to truly protect Internet freedom is by reclassifying broadband under the Telecommunications Act. Only then will the FCC have the tools to prevent giant cable companies from running roughshod over the freewheeling, dynamic Internet we’ve come to rely on. I just wrote to the FCC to demand that the agency protect real net neutrality. For more information and to join the campaign, follow the link below. http://activism.thenation.com/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=15085&tag=femail085 Best,  The Nation

The TRUTH will set you FREE.

SAVE THE INTERNET

The TRUTH will set you FREE.

SAVE THE INTERNET

May 15th: Fight to Save the Internet The nationwide drumbeat in support of real Net Neutrality is getting louder and louder. And this week we had some real wins: Two FCC commissioners raised doubts about a plan that would kill Net Neutrality. Close to 150 Internet companies — including Amazon, Facebook, Google and Twitter — told the FCC that online innovation requires strong rules that protect the open Internet. And nearly 100 organizations — including Consumers Union, Free Press and MoveOn — also came out against the FCC's plans. The fight to scrap Chairman Tom Wheeler's awful proposal is gaining ground. Next up: We go straight to the FCC’s doorstep on May 15th. On that day, thousands of activists, organizations and companies will participate online and off to oppose the FCC’s plan to kill the open Internet and allow rampant discrimination online. Please help us turn up the volume for this big day of action. Go here to: Tweet at members of Congress and urge them to oppose the FCC’s rules. Grab code for a “Save the Internet” banner you can display on your website on May 15th. Get details about May 15th’s Rally to Save the Internet outside the FCC. (Our friends and allies are camping out in front of the FCC every day in the run-up to May 15th — if you're in the D.C. area, join them!) It's no surprise that the fight for real Net Neutrality is gaining so much steam. The FCC’s plan would allow telecom giants like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon to pick winners and losers online, creating fast lanes for those who can pay — and dirt roads for the rest of us. That’s why so many of us are speaking up: If the FCC doesn't throw out these rules, we can say goodbye to the Internet we love. We’ll be in touch with more info in the coming days. For now, visit may15.savetheinternet.com and spread the word. Thanks for all that you do— Josh, Mary Alice, Candace, Misty and the rest of the Free Press team freepress.net P.S. Our campaign to raise $50,000 in 15 days to protect Net Neutrality is going strong. A generous donor will match all funds if we reach our goal. Help us get there. Thank you! P.P.S. Share this site! Post it to Facebook, Twitter and beyond. This is the moment to spread the word about saving the Internet.

Free Press and the Free Press Action Fund are nonpartisan organizations fighting for your rights to connect and communicate. Learn more at www.freepress.net. Join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

The TRUTH will set you FREE.