Dear FCC Commissioners,

The Alliance for Community Media urges you to stand with us in support of Network Neutrality, the principle that protects choice of content and equal opportunity on the Internet. It’s because of Network Neutrality that the Internet has been such a powerful engine for free speech and civic participation since its inception. We represent local community media centers across the nation that are providing their community members with access to media in all of its forms. The Internet is a fundamental tool of our engagement with our local communities and are committed to a strong open and neutral Internet, where everyone has a voice in our democracy.

The fight for Network Neutrality is all about civic participation. Since it began more than three years ago, nearly two million Americans have signed petitions, reached out to their networks, and asked their members of Congress to get behind Network Neutrality. Most of this organizing has taken place online by a coalition of more than 850 groups including the Alliance. Network Neutrality preserves the network's greatest strength: giving everyone the chance to get informed, speak out and be heard.

It’s a mistake to assume that the Internet is already a space where free speech is protected and ensured. Under current law, or the lack thereof, Internet service providers can block Web sites, content, services or applications they don’t like. And they have, most notably when Comcast secretly interfered with users' ability to access popular video, photo and music-sharing applications; when AT&T censored a political speech by the band Pearl Jam’s lead singer; and when Verizon blocked text messages between a pro-choice organization and its members.

The FCC must take action now to affirmatively safeguard the free flow of information on the Web before it’s too late.

Sincerely,
Alliance for Community Media