The Federal Communications Commission should continue its “pro-investment, pro-innovation, pro-competition, pro-consumer policies” regarding the Internet by adopting a “third way” approach to broadband Internet regulation recently proposed by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, according to a group representing institutional investors.
The Open MIC Blog
The Open MIC Blog
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In an interview, President Obama made his views on net neutrality clear, saying:"I'm a big believer in Net Neutrality." You can view a clip from the interview here on YouTube.
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U.S. Senator Dick Durbin this week sent letters to 30 information and communications technology companies - including Apple, Facebook, Skype and Twitter - seeking information about their human rights practices in China. Durbin also announced plans to hold a follow-up hearing on global internet freedom next month.
In the News...
"With its 'don't be evil' motto, Google would naturally oppose big corporations secretly deciding what you can and can't see on the Internet."
The Daily Show
"Like the rest of the technology world, we're wondering why Google has chosen to ally itself with Verizon, issuing a set of joint net neutrality recommendations that critics charge would significantly weaken the Federal Communications Commission's ability to protect the open Internet. "
ars technica
"The outcome of this negotiation between Godzilla and Shamu may be good for them, but it would destroy the promise of a neutral network. The FCC needs to assert its authority if the chairman's and president's promises are to be kept. "
Susan Crawford and Lawrence Lessig/MercuryNews.com
"Some in Silicon Valley are responding to the Google-Verizon pact on net neutrality, and they aren’t pleased."
The Washington Post
"Most people agree: Google does evil, calls it net neutrality."
Marvin Ammori/Huffington Post
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Want to know what’s happening on key issues of media responsibility from the perspective of investors? Check out the Open MIC blog, where we provide our take on the latest in the news.
Open MIC Urges FCC to Adopt "Third Way" Approach to Broadband Internet Regulation
Submitted by michael on Thu, 2010-07-15 15:39The Federal Communications Commission should continue its “pro-investment, pro-innovation, pro-competition, pro-consumer policies” regarding the Internet by adopting a “third way” approach to broadband Internet regulation recently proposed by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, according to a group representing institutional investors.
President Obama Endorses Principle of Free and Open Internet
Submitted by michael on Wed, 2010-02-03 13:20In an interview, President Obama made his views on net neutrality clear, saying:"I'm a big believer in Net Neutrality." You can view a clip from the interview here on YouTube.
U.S. Senator Durbin Asks 30 Companies for Information on Human Rights Practices in China
Submitted by michael on Wed, 2010-02-03 13:27U.S. Senator Dick Durbin this week sent letters to 30 information and communications technology companies - including Apple, Facebook, Skype and Twitter - seeking information about their human rights practices in China. Durbin also announced plans to hold a follow-up hearing on global internet freedom next month.
Clinton Says Open Internet Is a Priority for U.S. and American Business
Submitted by michael on Thu, 2010-01-21 16:13An open Internet is good for society and good for business. And American technology companies need to make a “principled stand” against attempts at censorship. That’s one of the messages delivered by U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton in a major speech that focused on attempts by some national governments to stifle the “free exchange of ideas” among their citizens.
Investors Urge Federal Communications Commission to Adopt Strong Principles to Protect an Open Internet
Submitted by michael on Thu, 2010-01-14 16:58A coalition representing socially responsible investors in media and telecommunications firms today urged the Federal Communications Commission to adopt “clear principles, policies and practices” to guarantee that the Internet remains free and open for all Americans. The recommendations were made by the Open Media and Information Companies Initiative - or Open MIC (www.openmic.org) – in a filing related to the FCC’s proposed rule-making on so-called “network neutrality” principles.
Investors Representing Over $580 million in Cisco Shares Urge Cisco to Respond to Human Rights Risk in its Global Operations
Submitted by michael on Tue, 2009-11-10 11:03In a shareholder proposal led by Boston Common Asset Management, 17 investors representing over 24 million shares of Cisco Systems, Inc (NASDAQ: CSCO) totaling over $580 million USD are urging the company to adequately manage human rights related risks in its global operations. The investors are asking Cisco to take concrete steps to mitigate human rights related risks that could ultimately stifle long-term demand for the networks it builds.
Open MIC Urges U.S. Federal Trade Commission to Adopt New Online Advertising Guidelines
Submitted by michael on Fri, 2009-10-30 14:57Current online advertising practices increasingly threaten the privacy of millions of American consumers and should be subject to new regulation that provides consumers with far greater control of their personal data.
That’s the recommendation made by Open MIC in a formal comment to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, which is currently reviewing privacy challenges posed by technology and business practices that collect and use consumer data.
Internet Issues Achieve Breakthrough Shareholder Votes; Privacy and Censorship Emerge As Critical Concerns
Submitted by michael on Tue, 2009-05-12 19:09Investors in two major U.S. Internet Service Providers – CenturyTel, Inc. and EarthLink, Inc. – voted in substantial numbers in favor of a first-time shareholder resolution that highlighted the importance of Internet management practices and their impact on Internet privacy and freedom of expression.
The resolutions, which were filed and voted on for the first time this year, attracted 30.49% of the vote at CenturyTel and 9.25% at EarthLink. Taken together, the votes mean that investors controlling stock worth more than $900 million voted in favor of the resolutions at the two companies.
A third Internet Service Provider, Knology, Inc., has agreed that it will revise its Internet privacy policy, following the filing of a shareholder resolution. As a result of the agreement, the shareholder resolution has been withdrawn.
Open MIC Internet Project Continues Focus on Internet Service Providers
Submitted by michael on Thu, 2009-04-30 16:06The Open MIC Internet Project is “the biggest new campaign in the human rights arena for the 2009 U.S. proxy season,” according to a new report by RiskMetrics, the nation’s largest and most influential proxy advisory firm.
Open MIC Internet Project: Shareholder Proposals Move Toward Votes
Submitted by michael on Thu, 2009-04-30 15:56The Open MIC Internet Project is “the biggest new campaign in the human rights arena for the 2009 U.S. proxy season,” according to a new report by RiskMetrics, the nation’s largest and most influential proxy advisory firm.