Last week, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai announced plans to dismantle the agency's net neutrality regulations. The International Documentary Association stands firmly opposed to any repeal or rollback of network neutrality and urges policymakers and the public to stand up for an open Internet and a level playing field online.
The Internet is the primary forum for the free flow of ideas central to democratic discourse. In this digital age, it would be difficult to imagine a truly open society or a well-functioning democracy without an open Internet.
The open Internet has been crucial to independent media because it has removed several barriers to entry that had traditionally been associated with the physical distribution of films. The open Internet allows anyone to publish his or her film, video, song, or writings—with or without traditional intermediaries such as distributors and TV networks. This is where we share our work.
This is possible only because the Internet has thus far largely retained its open, end-to-end architecture. Pai’s announcement would end that.
We urge the Commission to ensure that the Internet stays open so that this fledgling "golden age" of independent film and multimedia production can endure. Without rules that prohibit paid prioritization, blocking, throttling and non-transparent practices, service providers will be able to pick winners and losers in the battle for ideas; censor speech they don't like; and lock in entrenched interests with the money to pay for an internet "fast lane."
We call on Congress to order the FCC to preserve network neutrality. And we ask all those who care about documentary filmmaking to call their representatives now and urge them to tell FCC to stand down. Pai's proposal will be voted on at the FCC's Dec. 14 meeting.
TAKE ACTION NOW!
To support net neutrality, file a comment with the FCC:
1. On a computer, (not your phone!), go to: www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings/express
2. Enter (under "Proceeding") the numbers 17-108.
3. In comments, say: I support Title 2 oversight of ISPs and I support net neutrality.
*Fill in the form carefully; they've made it less friendly
TO BE CONNECTED WITH YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS, GO TO https://www.battleforthenet.com/