We, as organizations representing many
diverse religious traditions, express our gratitude to the Federal
Communications Commission for the strong net neutrality protections adopted in
February and released last week. These protections will assure Internet
openness and are essential for the faith community to function and connect with
our members, to protect and enhance the ability of vulnerable communities to
use advanced technology, and to organize, advocate for justice or bear witness
in the crowded media environment.
An open internet impacts all of us,
not just the technology sector or sophisticated elites. All of us rely on the
Internet every day. We are relieved that our communities will not be forced to
pay fees to ensure that our high-bandwidth content receives fair treatment on
the Internet: non-profit communities, both religious and secular, cannot afford
to pay those tolls. Even more important, low-income people cannot afford the
higher prices which would be passed on to them from commercial content
providers paying for priority access. The Internet is an indispensable medium
for people of faith – and others with principled values – to convey views on
matters of public concern and religious teachings. As Chairman Wheeler
explained before the vote, Net Neutrality is a guarantee of First Amendment
protections on the Internet. We strongly support the FCC’s decision as
responsive to our previous letter to the FCC, and oppose efforts to
derail those protections either legislatively or in court.
- National
Council of Churches USA
- Franciscan
Action Network
- Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.)
- The United
Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society
- United
Church of Christ, OC Inc.
