From Free Press:
Yesterday was the two-year anniversary of the FCC’s historic vote to pass real Net Neutrality rules.
But while more than 4 million people, organizations and businesses urged the FCC to pass the open internet rules, Net Neutrality is facing its biggest threat yet under the Trump administration.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai wants Net Neutrality gone. Since Pai became chairman a month ago, public interest groups, the New York Times and the Washington Post alike have lambasted him for making moves that will harm the people who have the least power.
Net Neutrality is NOT negotiable and we need Chairman Pai to hear this.
While Pai claims he supports a free and open internet, he’s been one of the most vitriolic opponents of the rules that were put in place to keep it that way. When the FCC passed its rules in 2015, Pai offered a lengthy dissent, arguing they were part of an elaborate Obama conspiracy to “regulate the internet.”
Talk about alternative facts.
In truth, the rules don’t regulate the internet; they keep broadband providers like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon from messing with what we do online. The FCC simply reclassified these companies under an existing law that preserves the rights we’ve always had to defend ourselves against communications carriers bent on interfering with our speech.
Tell Chairman Pai to back off and leave Net Neutrality alone.
We’ve been fighting for the open internet for over a decade and have no intentions of stopping now. Last week we delivered nearly 200,000 signatures in support of Net Neutrality to the FCC’s open meeting. And today we’re co-sponsoring a briefing with the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Voices for Internet Freedom Coalition to discuss the threats and opportunities that lie ahead.
Pai needs to know we aren’t going anywhere. Send him a message today.
Thanks for all that you do—
Candace, Dutch and the rest of the Free Press team
freepress.net
P.S. Don’t let Chairman Pai destroy Net Neutrality: Urge him to leave the open internet alone.
P.P.S. Fund the fight at Free Press: We're on CREDO Action's ballot this month and every vote we get = more money to support our work. Thank you!
Showing posts with label free press. Show all posts
Showing posts with label free press. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Don't let big cable sell your private information
From Free Press Action Fund:
This is a story of cynical Beltway politics at its worst.
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has two strong proposals on the table: one would stop Comcast from selling your private information without your consent, and another would lower your cable-TV bill by ending the monopoly on that set-top box you're forced to rent each month.
Thousands of us have written in support of these common-sense, pro-consumer policies — but it isn't clear whether they'll move forward before the end of the Obama administration.
The cable industry's friends in Congress are threatening the survival of both of these measures. Instead of letting the agency do its job, they're pressuring Wheeler to resign right after the election and stalling the renomination of Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel.
Holding up a confirmation to force the agency's hand on unrelated topics is no way to govern.
Worse still: It might be working.1
Rosenworcel is reportedly reluctant to move quickly on these crucial measures. And they need her vote to pass.
We need the FCC to stand up to industry and reject Congress’ political games.
Tell the FCC to protect your privacy and lower your cable bill TODAY.
Anything worth doing at the FCC is going to take at least a 3–2 vote. Chairman Wheeler, Commissioner Mignon Clyburn and Commissioner Rosenworcel have a chance to go down in history as leaders of the FCC that did more for the public interest than any other. Their decisions over the next few months could cement that legacy — but only if all three of them hold strong.
We need them to work together — now.
1. Source
To sign petition
This is a story of cynical Beltway politics at its worst.
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has two strong proposals on the table: one would stop Comcast from selling your private information without your consent, and another would lower your cable-TV bill by ending the monopoly on that set-top box you're forced to rent each month.
Thousands of us have written in support of these common-sense, pro-consumer policies — but it isn't clear whether they'll move forward before the end of the Obama administration.
The cable industry's friends in Congress are threatening the survival of both of these measures. Instead of letting the agency do its job, they're pressuring Wheeler to resign right after the election and stalling the renomination of Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel.
Holding up a confirmation to force the agency's hand on unrelated topics is no way to govern.
Worse still: It might be working.1
Rosenworcel is reportedly reluctant to move quickly on these crucial measures. And they need her vote to pass.
We need the FCC to stand up to industry and reject Congress’ political games.
Tell the FCC to protect your privacy and lower your cable bill TODAY.
Anything worth doing at the FCC is going to take at least a 3–2 vote. Chairman Wheeler, Commissioner Mignon Clyburn and Commissioner Rosenworcel have a chance to go down in history as leaders of the FCC that did more for the public interest than any other. Their decisions over the next few months could cement that legacy — but only if all three of them hold strong.
We need them to work together — now.
1. Source
To sign petition
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Net Neutrality wins in court
From Free Press:
Today a panel of judges ruled in favor of the FCC's Net Neutrality rules — agreeing with the overwhelming majority of Internet users that this agency can and must protect everyone's rights to connect and communicate.
This outcome proves what we've known all along: that the FCC chose the right legal path to defend our Internet freedom.
Winning this Net Neutrality case is a major victory for Internet users like you. Now it's time to take the fight for a universal, affordable and open Internet to the next level.
We need the FCC to enforce its rules. We will continue shining a light on ISP abuses, uncover any new Net Neutrality violations, and bring formal complaints to the agency about broadband providers' unreasonable schemes.
And just because we've won the right to do that doesn't mean our opponents will quit. Whether the fight moves to Congress or the Supreme Court we'll be there to defend the open Internet ... and with your help we'll win.
So we hope you'll join us in building on this victory. A great way to get started? Chip in $5 to support the next phase in the fight for Internet freedom.
Thanks for all that you do—
Craig, Candace, Matt and the rest of the Free Press team
Free Press
P.S. We wouldn't be here without your incredible support. Donate $5 (or more!) today to help us win tomorrow's battles. Thank you!
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
CISA is coming down to the wire
From Free Press:
The Senate is voting on the privacy-invading bill CISA today — and it's going to pass unless we make a lot of noise today.
We need to kill this bill before it’s too late. Pick up the phone and tell your senators to protect your online privacy.
I've got bad news — CISA is back.
Supporters claim that CISA is a cybersecurity bill, but in reality it's a cyber-surveillance bill. The bill encourages companies to monitor users and share our personal data with the government, under the guise of spotting vaguely-defined "threat indicators." In exchange, companies receive legal immunity from existing anti-surveillance laws, eliminating user privacy safeguards.
CISA will do absolutely nothing to protect us from cybersecurity threats. Security experts say that the bulk data sharing CISA allows actually makes it harder to identify real threats by decreasing the signal-to-noise ratio.
Cybersecurity is important, but this is not security. Instead, this is a dangerous surveillance bill that allows companies and federal agencies to freely share massive amounts of our personal data — without consequences.
Tell Congress: We're not buying the CISA charade.
Thanks for all that you do—
Dana, Sandy, and the rest of the Free Press Action Fund team
freepress.net
Find your Senators here
The Senate is voting on the privacy-invading bill CISA today — and it's going to pass unless we make a lot of noise today.
We need to kill this bill before it’s too late. Pick up the phone and tell your senators to protect your online privacy.
I've got bad news — CISA is back.
Supporters claim that CISA is a cybersecurity bill, but in reality it's a cyber-surveillance bill. The bill encourages companies to monitor users and share our personal data with the government, under the guise of spotting vaguely-defined "threat indicators." In exchange, companies receive legal immunity from existing anti-surveillance laws, eliminating user privacy safeguards.
CISA will do absolutely nothing to protect us from cybersecurity threats. Security experts say that the bulk data sharing CISA allows actually makes it harder to identify real threats by decreasing the signal-to-noise ratio.
Cybersecurity is important, but this is not security. Instead, this is a dangerous surveillance bill that allows companies and federal agencies to freely share massive amounts of our personal data — without consequences.
Tell Congress: We're not buying the CISA charade.
Thanks for all that you do—
Dana, Sandy, and the rest of the Free Press Action Fund team
freepress.net
Find your Senators here
Friday, October 23, 2015
A thank you from Free Press
From Free Press:
Amazing news: On Thursday, the FCC voted to reduce the out-of-control cost of local, in-state and long-distance prison-phone calls — thanks in part to the actions you’ve taken.
For years, many prisoners and their families have had to pay up to $10 or more for a 15-minute phone call thanks to the predatory prices charged by companies like Securus Technologies.
The skyrocketing cost of these calls has made it difficult — sometimes impossible — for families to stay in touch with their loved ones.
Thanks to the leadership of Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, and her colleagues Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel and Chairman Tom Wheeler, the FCC moved again to ensure that predatory prison phone rates don’t prevent families from remaining connected. Yesterday’s vote builds on the reforms the agency adopted during Commissioner Clyburn’s tenure as acting chairwoman in 2013.
As always, the FCC didn’t do it alone. The work of the Campaign for Prison Phone Justice, the Center for Media Justice, the Media Action Grassroots Network, civil rights groups, public interest organizations and thousands of people elevated the voices of inmates and their families in Washington, D.C. — and made it possible for the FCC to take action.
Thank you for showing, once again, that when we collectively raise our voices we can make a difference.
Best,
Lucia, Joseph, Matt, Mary Alice and the rest of the Free Press team
freepress.net
Thank you!
And thank you to everyone who participated in correcting this greedy slimy act by Securus Technologies. This is why people hate corporations.
Amazing news: On Thursday, the FCC voted to reduce the out-of-control cost of local, in-state and long-distance prison-phone calls — thanks in part to the actions you’ve taken.
For years, many prisoners and their families have had to pay up to $10 or more for a 15-minute phone call thanks to the predatory prices charged by companies like Securus Technologies.
The skyrocketing cost of these calls has made it difficult — sometimes impossible — for families to stay in touch with their loved ones.
Thanks to the leadership of Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, and her colleagues Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel and Chairman Tom Wheeler, the FCC moved again to ensure that predatory prison phone rates don’t prevent families from remaining connected. Yesterday’s vote builds on the reforms the agency adopted during Commissioner Clyburn’s tenure as acting chairwoman in 2013.
As always, the FCC didn’t do it alone. The work of the Campaign for Prison Phone Justice, the Center for Media Justice, the Media Action Grassroots Network, civil rights groups, public interest organizations and thousands of people elevated the voices of inmates and their families in Washington, D.C. — and made it possible for the FCC to take action.
Thank you for showing, once again, that when we collectively raise our voices we can make a difference.
Best,
Lucia, Joseph, Matt, Mary Alice and the rest of the Free Press team
freepress.net
Thank you!
And thank you to everyone who participated in correcting this greedy slimy act by Securus Technologies. This is why people hate corporations.
Sunday, October 11, 2015
FCC hears about prison phone rate abuse
From Free Press:
Jazlin Mendoza is one of the 2.7 million youths with an incarcerated parent. Phone calls with her father are so pricey that it’s hard for her family to pay for even five minutes of phone time.
The predatory rates phone companies charge for calls made to and from U.S. prisons prompted our friends at MAG-Net to launch a campaign for lower rates. On Tuesday, MAG-Net delivered more than 80,000 signatures urging the FCC to move forward with its proposal to cap these rates. Free Press participated in the petition delivery along with ColorOfChange.org, the Progressive Democrats of America and the United Church of Christ Office of Communication, Inc.
This day of action also included a congressional briefing featuring powerful testimony from people on both sides of the prison divide. In a recording played during the event, Keven Reese, who’s been in prison for 11 years, talked about how hard it is for his family to keep in touch when choosing to answer his phone calls may mean sacrificing Christmas presents for their children.
FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, the agency’s strongest voice for prison-phone justice, noted that stories like these should make all of us feel “outraged.”
We want to thank you for adding your voice to the call for reform. We’ll keep you posted on how the FCC’s vote plays out.
Best,
Dana, Joseph, Candace and the rest of the Free Press team
freepress.net
P.S. We work hard every day to make sure the FCC sides with people and not big corporations. Help us continue to fight back with a monthly donation of $5. Thank you!
It is said that a program that connects prisoners to a healthy supportive family reduces the recidivism rate thus causing less of them to reoffend and return to prison. If it cuts down on the crime rate I'm for it.
Jazlin Mendoza is one of the 2.7 million youths with an incarcerated parent. Phone calls with her father are so pricey that it’s hard for her family to pay for even five minutes of phone time.
The predatory rates phone companies charge for calls made to and from U.S. prisons prompted our friends at MAG-Net to launch a campaign for lower rates. On Tuesday, MAG-Net delivered more than 80,000 signatures urging the FCC to move forward with its proposal to cap these rates. Free Press participated in the petition delivery along with ColorOfChange.org, the Progressive Democrats of America and the United Church of Christ Office of Communication, Inc.
This day of action also included a congressional briefing featuring powerful testimony from people on both sides of the prison divide. In a recording played during the event, Keven Reese, who’s been in prison for 11 years, talked about how hard it is for his family to keep in touch when choosing to answer his phone calls may mean sacrificing Christmas presents for their children.
FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, the agency’s strongest voice for prison-phone justice, noted that stories like these should make all of us feel “outraged.”
We want to thank you for adding your voice to the call for reform. We’ll keep you posted on how the FCC’s vote plays out.
Best,
Dana, Joseph, Candace and the rest of the Free Press team
freepress.net
P.S. We work hard every day to make sure the FCC sides with people and not big corporations. Help us continue to fight back with a monthly donation of $5. Thank you!
It is said that a program that connects prisoners to a healthy supportive family reduces the recidivism rate thus causing less of them to reoffend and return to prison. If it cuts down on the crime rate I'm for it.
Monday, September 28, 2015
Tell the FCC to lower phone costs for prison inmates
From Free Press:
We believe in the rights of all people to connect freely. But for the families of millions of incarcerated people across the country, it can be nearly impossible to make that connection.
Prison phone rates are astronomical, with the price of a 15-minute phone call soaring above $5 in some states.
Many families simply can’t afford these sky-high rates. For the 2.7 million children with an incarcerated parent, that means forgoing phone calls that could help them maintain healthy relationships. Studies show that regular contact with loved ones helps reduce recidivism. That means less crime, and stronger communities.
As early as October, the FCC will decide on new protections that could dramatically lower the price of prison phone calls, and open the doors for millions of families to connect without breaking the bank.
Urge the FCC to end unreasonable prison phone rates.
Prison phone companies are pocketing millions by charging prisoners’ families these predatory rates. And since a disproportionate number of prisoners are people of color, these rates harm marginalized communities in particular.
Many prisons also demand huge commissions from phone companies for the exclusive right to provide service. This drives rates up and up, punishing low-income families and forcing them to either miss out on calls or strain their budgets to the breaking point.
Tell the FCC to cap exorbitant rates for phone calls to prisoners’ families.
In 2013, the FCC passed the rules capping long-distance prison-phone rates. Now the agency can finish the job and establish local rate caps, eliminate fees and end prison-phone company commissions.
Tell the FCC it’s time to stand up for our most vulnerable communities and make prison phone calls affordable for families trying to stay connected.
Thanks for all that you do—
Dana, Joseph, Candace and the rest of the Free Press team
freepress.net
P.S. Help Free Press protect everyone’s right to connect and communicate with a donation of $10 (or more!) today. Thank you!
We believe in the rights of all people to connect freely. But for the families of millions of incarcerated people across the country, it can be nearly impossible to make that connection.
Prison phone rates are astronomical, with the price of a 15-minute phone call soaring above $5 in some states.
Many families simply can’t afford these sky-high rates. For the 2.7 million children with an incarcerated parent, that means forgoing phone calls that could help them maintain healthy relationships. Studies show that regular contact with loved ones helps reduce recidivism. That means less crime, and stronger communities.
As early as October, the FCC will decide on new protections that could dramatically lower the price of prison phone calls, and open the doors for millions of families to connect without breaking the bank.
Urge the FCC to end unreasonable prison phone rates.
Prison phone companies are pocketing millions by charging prisoners’ families these predatory rates. And since a disproportionate number of prisoners are people of color, these rates harm marginalized communities in particular.
Many prisons also demand huge commissions from phone companies for the exclusive right to provide service. This drives rates up and up, punishing low-income families and forcing them to either miss out on calls or strain their budgets to the breaking point.
Tell the FCC to cap exorbitant rates for phone calls to prisoners’ families.
In 2013, the FCC passed the rules capping long-distance prison-phone rates. Now the agency can finish the job and establish local rate caps, eliminate fees and end prison-phone company commissions.
Tell the FCC it’s time to stand up for our most vulnerable communities and make prison phone calls affordable for families trying to stay connected.
Thanks for all that you do—
Dana, Joseph, Candace and the rest of the Free Press team
freepress.net
P.S. Help Free Press protect everyone’s right to connect and communicate with a donation of $10 (or more!) today. Thank you!
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Don't let net neutrality die
From Free Press:
Bad news: Three judges in Washington, D.C., just dealt a huge blow to the open Internet.
An appeals court struck down the Federal Communications Commission’s Open Internet Order because of mistakes the agency made when it adopted its Net Neutrality rules.
Translation: This court just killed Net Neutrality. This could be the end of the Internet as we know it. But it doesn’t have to be.
This decision means that Internet users can expect companies like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon to block or slow down any website, application or service they like. These companies will rush to change the Web and line their own pockets at our expense — creating new tolls for app makers, expensive price tiers for popular sites, and fast lanes open only to the few content providers that can afford them.
Here’s the Thing: The FCC Could Stop All This Right Now.
Yup, you heard us: The FCC could make all this go away by simply reading the law right and reclaiming the authority it already has to protect Internet users for good.
During the tenure of former FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, the agency made a grave mistake by failing to put its open Internet rules on the most solid legal footing. Internet users will pay the price of that decision unless and until the FCC fixes the problem it created for itself.
New FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler must correct the agency’s past mistakes and truly protect our nation’s communications infrastructure. The agency must ensure that broadband communications networks are open, accessible, reliable and affordable for everyone. It needs to stop fulfilling the wish lists of the big phone and cable monopolies — and start looking out for Internet users.
Let’s Get It Right This Time. Tell Chairman Wheeler to Protect the Open Internet — and All of Its Users — for Real.
Millions of people have fought for Net Neutrality. Together we can fight back against these greedy Internet service providers. Together we can save the Internet we love.
Onward,
Josh, Candace and the rest of the Free Press team
Free Press
freepress.net
P.S. This isn’t the end of the open Internet. It’s just the beginning of a long fight to save the Internet we love. We don’t take money from business, government or political parties and rely on the generosity of people like you to fuel our work. Please donate $15 (or more!) today. Thank you!
To sign the petition
Bad news: Three judges in Washington, D.C., just dealt a huge blow to the open Internet.
An appeals court struck down the Federal Communications Commission’s Open Internet Order because of mistakes the agency made when it adopted its Net Neutrality rules.
Translation: This court just killed Net Neutrality. This could be the end of the Internet as we know it. But it doesn’t have to be.
This decision means that Internet users can expect companies like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon to block or slow down any website, application or service they like. These companies will rush to change the Web and line their own pockets at our expense — creating new tolls for app makers, expensive price tiers for popular sites, and fast lanes open only to the few content providers that can afford them.
Here’s the Thing: The FCC Could Stop All This Right Now.
Yup, you heard us: The FCC could make all this go away by simply reading the law right and reclaiming the authority it already has to protect Internet users for good.
During the tenure of former FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, the agency made a grave mistake by failing to put its open Internet rules on the most solid legal footing. Internet users will pay the price of that decision unless and until the FCC fixes the problem it created for itself.
New FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler must correct the agency’s past mistakes and truly protect our nation’s communications infrastructure. The agency must ensure that broadband communications networks are open, accessible, reliable and affordable for everyone. It needs to stop fulfilling the wish lists of the big phone and cable monopolies — and start looking out for Internet users.
Let’s Get It Right This Time. Tell Chairman Wheeler to Protect the Open Internet — and All of Its Users — for Real.
Millions of people have fought for Net Neutrality. Together we can fight back against these greedy Internet service providers. Together we can save the Internet we love.
Onward,
Josh, Candace and the rest of the Free Press team
Free Press
freepress.net
P.S. This isn’t the end of the open Internet. It’s just the beginning of a long fight to save the Internet we love. We don’t take money from business, government or political parties and rely on the generosity of people like you to fuel our work. Please donate $15 (or more!) today. Thank you!
To sign the petition
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