More musicians add their voices to US net neutrality debate
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is taking lots of flak for its net neutrality proposals, with critics arguing against its proposals to allow ISPs to charge digital media companies for smooth access to their customers. Now more musicians are engaging with the debate, in an open letter to FCC chairman Tom Wheeler signed by OK Go, Michael Stipe, Eddie Vedder, Roger Waters, Jello Biafra, Neko Case, Fugazi, David Lowery, Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, the Black Crowes’ Rich Robinson and other artists. “The open Internet’s impact on the creative community cannot be overstated. The Internet has enabled artists to connect directly with each other and with audiences. It has eliminated the barriers of geography and taken collaborations to new levels. And it has allowed people – not corporations – to seek out the film, music and art that moves them,” explains the letter. “Allowing broadband providers to control this once-open platform shifts power away from individual artists and creators and interferes with freedom of speech and expression.” As a primer for why creators as well as digital services are leaping into this debate, it’s worth a read.