I got the following mail yesterday which alerts us to a potential threat to our Electronic Freedom. I’d value a reality check. I have checked on Twitter and got a little feedback – it’s a real issue. But – like all Euro stuff – I am sure it’s complex. I haven’t seen anything on EFF, for example. (EFF were active in fighting European Software Patents).
So – should I write to my MEP – before May 5th? – and if so with what message?
Do NOT Touch The Internet
Citizens Ready For A Fight Across The European Union.The privatization of the Internet could be decided in the next few weeks. On May 5th, the European Parliament will vote on a package of measures which will affect the national laws of all EU countries.
The European Parliament is about to give up our rights to an open access to the Internet to protect the interests of Entertainment and Communications multinationals. A civil campaign by organizations of the whole European Community will be simultaneously launched tonight in order to prevent the privatization of the Internet and to defend the democratic right to access to information and digital tools.This campaign includes:
1 – An informative website explaining what the so called ” Telecommunications Package “, which is about to be voted on in the European Parliament, is, why it is so dangerous for the future of citizens. the impact on their daily economy, as well as useful information and tools created by citizens for citizens, including open letters, press releases, a blog and video material:
http: // www.blackouteurope.eu/2 – A letter to members of the European Parliament that it is being sent by hundreds of organizations and citizens (one Euro Parliamentarian recognized that they are receiving as many as 200 letters a day):
http://www.blackouteurope.eu/act/letter_to_meps.html3 – An automatic system that allows citizens to send the letter directly to all the Members of the European Parliament:
http://blackouteu.wordpress.com/directly-send-to-parlamentarians/4 – A system to monitor their vote in the matter:
http://blackouteu.wordpress.com/follow-their-vote/And
5 – A Europe wide casting for “grandmothers” to create an inter-European viral video:
Fortheinternet.wordpress.com/This blogpost was prepared with ICE+OpenOffice.
Yes, this is very serious. It’s threatening Net neutrality – which means that bits are passed end to end without caring what they are. Telecoms companies want to be able to block certain kinds of traffic, or charge more (for Skype, for example). This is likely to kill innovation.
Here’s my commentary from a few weeks back, together with the letter I wrote to my MEPs. There’s also a link to what Sir Tim Berners-Lee said on Net neutrality, and why it matters:
http://opendotdotdot.blogspot.com/2009/03/save-european-internet-write-to-your_30.html
Feel free to contact me with questions.