Network Neutrality

It appeared Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez had done all the damage he could do: authorizing illegal wiretaps, coming up with dubious legal rational for torture and lying before Congress. But Gonzalez couldn’t resist lobbing one more bomb before riding into the Texas sunset.

Surprisingly enough, this one has to do with net neutrality. Gonzalez filed papers with the FCC opposing net neutrality late last week claiming falsely that such regulations could hamper innovation on the Internet. read more

June 29, 2007

The Federal Trade Commission rightly concluded in its report Broadband Connectivity Competition Policy that the broadband Internet market needs greater competition. About 96 percent of the broadband market is currently controlled by just two entities: the cable or phone company. In many markets, customers only have one type of ISP to choose from.

Washington, D.C.— The Federal Trade Commission rightly concluded in its report Broadband Connectivity Competition Policy [PDF] that the broadband Internet market needs greater competition. read more

The dog days of summer have descended upon DC, but you won’t find us - or Congress - heading to the beach anytime soon. Read on to learn what’s keeping us busy.

FMC Discovery: Clear Channel Attempting to Dodge Performance Royalties
Listen to the Sound of Silence: Webcasting Debate Continues
Low Power Radio Bills Drop in Congress
Concert to Benefit New Orleans Musicians is a Success
Summit 07: Take our Survey
Policy Update: Public Performance Right
FCC Radio License Window Announced
Rock the Net Campaign On Tour with Just Plain Folks
HINT Hits the Road
This Week in News…on our Blog

Access & Innovation for Artists

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Fact Sheet

The open internet is about choice, freedom of expression and access to information. Yet there are some corporations that want to change the basic structure of the web as we know it.

Certain telecommunications companies would like to charge content providers higher fees for the faster loading of their sites, which could alter the way we access the web. The result would be an Internet where those companies that couldn’t afford to — or didn’t want to — pay this toll would be relegated the slow lane. Independent and developing musicians could lose an ever-important connection to their fans, while listeners might find their access to the web’s varied, exciting and legal musical offerings severely compromised. read more

Right now in FMC-land we’re hard at work on this Wednesday’s Policy Day, which will be filled with bold statements, learned debates and intriguing ideas. We’re nearly sold out and can accept only 3 more registrations, so if you want to attend, please register NOW. Read on for all the latest reasons to join the discussion!

FMC and ACS Present Technology and IP Policy Day: May 2, 2007
FMC Joins the Blogosphere
The Webcasting Rate Debate
FCC Announces Payola Settlement
Rock the Net Campaign Gains Steam
FCC License Window Announced
Official Media Ownership Hearing in Tampa: April 30
Newstream has moved to the Blog

Jenny Toomey’s prepared oral testimony delivered at the FCC’s Public Hearing on Media Ownership at Belmont University, Nashville, TN in December 2006. Jenny summarizes the key findings from False Premises, False Promises, and urges the Commission to take the necessary steps to fix radio. read more

This issue’s news items:

Future of Music Policy Summit: Registration Opens!
FCC Opens Media Ownership Proceedings
FMC Releases Study on Employment Effects of Radio Consolidation
Policy Update on Network Neutrality and Musicians
FMC in NYC in January 2007
In the Newsstream
How Are We Doing

June 28, 2006

“We applaud the Senate Commerce Committee’s overwhelming bipartisan vote of 14-7 in support of allowing the Federal Communications Commission to expand non-commercial Low Power FM radio stations into urban markets. Today’s vote was part of the Committee’s larger debate on a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s telecommunications laws.” read more

An Opinion piece published in The Hill on the importance of Net Neutrality

Jenny Toomey and Michael Bracy

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Over the past several years, the independent music community has flourished. It now represents over 80 percent of music released in this country and nearly 30 percent of the overall music marketplace. While many argue the Internet has had a negative impact on traditional record sales, it has also helped artists to tear down the walls between themselves and their fans and created the foundation for an unparalleled musician-powered renaissance. If this transformation continues, musicians may leave behind the long-standing imbalance that requires them to sign away their copyrights as a condition of gaining a major-label contract. If they do so, artists? gratitude should flow to the principle of network neutrality. read more

What Will Happen to Independent Culture when the Web Goes Big Business?

Andrew Spencer Goldman

Thursday, August 30, 2001

For a brief, shining moment it looked as though the Internet might emerge as our storybook hero, ending the reign of the old media conglomerates. For too long our radios bound us to music as shiny and sterile as a corporate board room, our cinema to films as empty of soul as they were full of silicon and cliche, and our newspapers and televisions to the news that Wall Street wanted us to see. Through a corporate filter, we lacked the perspective necessary to identify (at any mass level) the role that a highly concentrated media plays in sedating a vibrant democracy. read more

Public Performance Right for Sound Recordings

Mar 5, 2018

ASCAP - BMI Consent Decrees

Aug 4, 2016

Political Campaigns and Music Licensing

When must candidates get permission to use music, and who must they ask?

Sep 9, 2015

Gonzalez at it again — this time on net neutrality

FMC Statement on Federal Trade Commission Report on Net Neutrality

Preserving the Open Internet

Testimony of Jenny Toomey Presented at FCC Media Ownership Hearing

FMC Statement on the Senate Commerce Committee's 14-7 vote in support of the McCain/Cantwell LPFM

Op Ed: Indie-rock revolution, fueled by net neutrality

When New Media Turns Old

Up Front

Featured Articles

Search By Issue