Writers push for laws to maintain Internet freedom

[flashl]

Source: Washington Post

WASHINGTON -- Writers are pushing for legislation to guarantee the Internet's status as an open forum for communication. Partic Verrone, the president of the Writers Guild of America, West, is scheduled to appear today before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee at a hearing entitled "The Future of the Internet."

During the recent writers strike that virtually paralyzed television production for three months, Verrone learned the value of the Internet.

...

To maintain contact with one another, guild members used blog postings, e-mail and videos. It was the success of that campaign that prompted Verrone to come to Washington and push for legislation that he hopes will guarantee the Internet's status as an open forum for communication.

...

The writers strike, in addition to depending on the Internet for communication, was also largely prompted by the Internet. The writers guild fought successfully to be paid for content they create for use online as well as the reuse of previously created programs that appear on new platforms.

Washington Post

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/22/AR2008042200386.html

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My spider senses are tingling. Net neutrality is far greater than a writer's interest in protecting content. Relying on a group to write legislation who still think of the Internet as a group of pipes that need gatekeepers is troubling.

[Leftist Agitator]

1. "...who still think of the Internet as a group of pipes..."

I do believe the technical term is "series of tubes".

[flashl]

2. Correction noted. nt

[Leftist Agitator]

3. Thank Ted Stevens for that little gem.

Series of tubes...

:rofl: