FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: April 21, 2008
Contact: Jen Howard, Free Press, (202) 265-1490, x22 or (703) 517-6273

WASHINGTON -- Vuze, maker of a popular peer-to-peer video distribution application, today released a preliminary report suggesting that many major phone and cable companies across the country may be targeting and blocking legal Web traffic.

Last fall, the Associated Press exposed Comcast for cutting off access to legal file-sharing programs. In response to petitions filed by Free Press and Vuze, the Federal Communications Commission has launched an ongoing investigation, which has included public hearings at Harvard and Stanford universities.

Marvin Ammori, general counsel of Free Press, issued the following statement:

"Vuze's report suggests what many have feared all along: In addition to Comcast, other phone and cable companies may be censoring legal Web traffic over their networks. Many industry practices remain unknown and are increasingly difficult to detect.

"Consumers and innovators cannot be expected to police for abuse, nor should they have to accept interference until their network provider is exposed. Until the FCC makes it clear that it will not tolerate Internet blocking, phone and cable companies will continue to engage in this harmful practice."

Read the Vuze report: http://www.vuze.com/internet_future

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Free Press is a national, nonpartisan organization working to reform the media. Free Press does not support or oppose any candidate for public office. Through education, organizing and advocacy, we promote diverse and independent media ownership, strong public media and universal access to communications.