Groups Join to Push for Net Neutrality

Groups from opposite ends of the political spectrum are coming together to press Congress to ensure that net neutrality is included into a rewrite of a telecommunications law making its way through the House of Representatives.

The SavetheInternet.com Coaliton is made of groups and individuals from both conservative and liberal persuasions. Charter members include Free Press, the Gun Owners of America, Instapundit blogger Glenn Reynolds, and Moveon.org among others.

The issue of net neutrality has become a hot-button issue in Washington, pitting telecommunications companies against Internet companies such as Microsoft, Yahoo and Google. However, public outrage has so far been muted, and the coalition is aiming to increase awareness of the issue.

"Network neutrality is the First Amendment of the Internet," Free Press campaign director Timothy Karr said. "Net neutrality is the reason why the Internet has driven economic innovation, democratic participation, and free speech online - and the public demands Congress not dismantle it."

As a general rule, the issue has also widely been a partisan one, with most Republicans against any provision and Democrats largely supporting it. The bill to be voted on this week was introduced by Republican Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, and a smaller yet similar bill has been introduced by Oregan Republican Senator Gordon Smith.

Both would allow the owners of the Internet pipes to prioritize traffic, and charge companies to ensure bandwidth for their Web sites and applications. Opponents are worried this would create a "two tier" Internet, and lead to companies giving their own services top billing over competitors.

"If the telecoms believe they can frame opposition to their power grab as a liberal or anti-free-market attack, they are sadly mistaken," Gun Owners of America Internet operations director Craig Fields said.