Blog
Mar 18, 2021
More Musicians Stand Up for Net Neutrality
Here’s the good news: more and more people are recognizing that the open internet is crucial to everything from innovation to free speech. Musicians and independent labels depend on net neutrality too — it’s what lets them compete on a level technological playing field with the biggest companies.
Here’s the bad news: there’s a sense that policymakers are dragging their heels on something really important. Net neutrality isn’t a partisan issue, or at least it shouldn’t be. The right to free expression and a license to innovate on the most important communications platform in history is bigger than politics.
Future of Music Coalition has championed open internet platforms for a decade. In fact, artist access to technology was one of our founding ideals. That’s why we’re always happy to see this core concern shared by such a diverse array of musicians and creators.
Today, a group of these musicians sent a letter to FCC Chairman Juilius Genachowski, asking him to take action to preserve the open internet. Artists including R.E.M., Jackson Browne, the Roots, OK Go, Moby, Bonnie Raitt, Rosanne Cash, Erin McKeown and Charles Bissell of The Wrens joined the Writers Guild of America, East in calling for clear rules of the road that would protect the web for everyone.
We’re also pleased that groups like MoveOn.org Political Action have stepped up to help even more musicians and fans understand the importance of net neutrality.
But enough of our yappin’ — here’s the text of the letter:
Dear FCC Commissioner Julius Genachowski:
The Internet has facilitated an explosion of creativity and commerce, offering
unprecedented opportunities to musicians and music entrepreneurs. Due to the
open structures of the Internet, musicians and other creators and innovators can
compete on an equal technological playing field with the biggest companies. The
result is a blossoming and legitimate marketplace that compensates creators while
rewarding fans with access to an incredible array of music.
None of this could have happened without Net Neutrality — the principle
that protects the open Internet. That’s why we support efforts to preserve Net
Neutrality for the benefit of innovation and free expression — and urge the
FCC to act immediately to ensure that the Internet is kept free and open.
As artists, we are encouraged that the Commission recognizes the importance of
net neutrality. We encourage you to apply its core principles to any and all
broadband points of access, including the wireless space. We also encourage you
to consider the perspectives of musicians, who depend on an open Internet to
compete in a crucial marketplace and express ourselves creatively.
We will continue to support the Commission on the road to achieving clear and
enforceable rules of the road for the Internet for the benefit of creators, innovators,
entrepreneurs and the public. However, we also feel that the time to act is now, to
avoid prolonged uncertainty for all stakeholders, including musicians and music
entrepreneurs. The future of the Internet depends on decisions made today, as
does the future of music. We believe that Net Neutrality is the best and only
way to ensure that both futures remain bright.
Sincerely,
R.E.M.
The Roots
Rosanne Cash
Bonnie Raitt
Jackson Browne
Moby
OK Go
Jamie Kitman (manager; OK Go, They Might Be Giants, Mike Doughty, and Mike Viola)
Erin McKeown
Charles Bissell (The Wrens)
Writers Guild of America East
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