I don't normally cross-post things (I posted this in the politics forum) and I hope I haven't violated any rules here, but this is a particularly urgent matter.
There's a development brewing in the FCC right now which could conceivably threaten access to if not the very existence of Tickling Media Forum, Fetlife, or any social media forum that isn't Facebook or Twitter.
The FCC is considering rule changes that if adopted would allow ISPs to charge content providers for preferential treatment, much like the way Comcast just charged Netflix a tidy sum for the privilege of being able to have their movies stream over Comcast's network without technical issues related to speed and reliability.
Under such a system, we could end up with a cable-TV-like Internet in which large players, like say, Facebook or CNN get priority treatment, and sites like this one go to the back of the cybernetic bus.
In other words, no more open Internet.
Online content providers that can't afford to pay what Hulu and Google can - like TMF - could conceivably end up just plain going away for lack of access and ad revenue.
The comment period ends soon. Right now, while you're thinking of it, send your comments to the FCC commissioners. Their names and e-mail addresses are listed below.
Don't think that it can't happen. Please do as I've done and register your opinion now.
FCC Chief: [email protected]
Commissioners:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Mike.O'[email protected]
The FCC's main telephone line is 1-888-225-5322.
See also: http://www.freepress.net/blog/2014/04/24/wake-internet-time-save-yourself
There's a development brewing in the FCC right now which could conceivably threaten access to if not the very existence of Tickling Media Forum, Fetlife, or any social media forum that isn't Facebook or Twitter.
The FCC is considering rule changes that if adopted would allow ISPs to charge content providers for preferential treatment, much like the way Comcast just charged Netflix a tidy sum for the privilege of being able to have their movies stream over Comcast's network without technical issues related to speed and reliability.
Under such a system, we could end up with a cable-TV-like Internet in which large players, like say, Facebook or CNN get priority treatment, and sites like this one go to the back of the cybernetic bus.
In other words, no more open Internet.
Online content providers that can't afford to pay what Hulu and Google can - like TMF - could conceivably end up just plain going away for lack of access and ad revenue.
The comment period ends soon. Right now, while you're thinking of it, send your comments to the FCC commissioners. Their names and e-mail addresses are listed below.
Don't think that it can't happen. Please do as I've done and register your opinion now.
FCC Chief: [email protected]
Commissioners:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Mike.O'[email protected]
The FCC's main telephone line is 1-888-225-5322.
See also: http://www.freepress.net/blog/2014/04/24/wake-internet-time-save-yourself