Net Neutrality: AT&T censor Pearl Jam

You may have already heard this lovely little story. During a live webcast of Pearl Jam’s performance of their song “Daughter” from this year’s Lollapalooza music festival, AT&T decided some of the song lyrics were not fit to be broadcast to the internet audience. They panned away from the band following this lyric: “George Bush, leave this world alone.” After that the major telecommunication company cut off all sound, effectively censoring the performance. As blogged about on the band’s official website, “AT&T’s actions strike at the heart of the public’s concerns over the power that corporations have when it comes to determining what the public sees and hears through communications media.” (http://pearljam.com/news/index.php?what=News)

On the positive side, I think AT&T gave us a concrete example in which to contextualize issues of net neutrality and what it means in the framework of access. After all, if AT&T has no problem censoring a high profile rock band as it performs during one of the major music events of the year, think about all the voices from our various communities that could be blocked for whatever reason and at whatever time. Through the Internet we have great potential to maximize the distribution of and the access to information, and we need to fight to reach it.

Blog Post: Number the First

From the Wakeup Call archives, I present to you the latest installment of the weekly segment I produce that keeps track of the latest goings-on from the NYC Council:

Cell Phone Service Underground?

Most people carry cell phones to keep them connected, especially in case of emergency. But once underground, these handy communication devices are rendered useless. Now some legislators are insisting that the MTA make cell phone service in the subway a priority.

Host: Deepa Fernandes

Guest: John Liu, New York City Council member