Mirrored from remhq:

R.E.M has joined a growing coalition of artists and musicians who have signed the Artists and Musicians for Internet Freedom petition. The petition is being circulated in response to a large telecommunications bill Congress will soon vote on, one part of which would gut Net Neutrality, the long held principle that all online speech is equally accessible to Internet users, regardless of its source.

In practice, Net Neutrality levels the internet playing field, insuring that small blogs and independent sites open just as easily as the sites of large media corporations. It allows every voice to be heard by thousands, even millions of people. This freedom is currently under threat because the nation's largest phone and cable companies have pressured Congress to give them more control over which Web sites work for users based on which corporation pays them the most! If Congress caves, consumer choice will be limited, the free flow of information will be choked off, and the free and open Internet will become a private toll road managed by these large companies.

Unfortunately the move is on right now to do just that. A House committee has twice voted against preserving Internet freedom. However, the second vote was much closer because of a public uprising instigated by the SavetheInternet.com Coalition. Coalition members include Craig from Craigslist, MoveOn, Gun Owners of America, consumer watchdogs, church groups, over 400 others. Over 650,000 people have signed a petition to Congress, over 5000 friends have joined Savetheinternet.com's MySpace, and thousands of blogs have linked to the coalition. Google, Amazon, Yahoo, eBay, and others are also fighting on the side of Net Neutrality. With a vote by the full House coming soon and with the Senate bill just starting to move, your support in favor of Net Neutrality is crucial.

HOW YOU CAN FIGHT FOR INTERNET FREEDOM

1. Sign an Internet freedom petition to Congress:

2. Call Congress now using this online tool:

3. Send email to Congress:

4. Blog or put the "Save the Internet" logo on your Web site:

5. MySpace - add "Save the Internet" as a friend here

6. Get more information: here

Please urge Congress to preserve a free and open Internet. Call or email your Congressman to vote for enforceable network neutrality and keep tollbooths, gatekeepers, and discrimination off the Internet.