Eddie Vedder has joined more than 50 musicians, writers, poets, actors, and other artists, including Michael Stipe, Tom Morello, Kimya Dawson, Boots Riley, and Jill Sobule, in signing a letter to FCC Chairman Thomas Wheeler voicing opposition of his current proposed changes to net neutrality and calling them a threat to artistic freedom and integrity. Here's a small excerpt:
Under these rules, telecom giants like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon would be able to pick winners and losers online and discriminate against online content and applications.If you don't know what net neutrality is, or why it is in the news lately, it would make sense for a music news blog would take a little time to explain it to you, so here are some great videos to explain it.
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.
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.
The full list of artists signing the letter are below.
Anti‐Flag
Fred Armisen
Geoff Bailey
Jello Biafra Sarah Browning (poet)
Neko Case
Staceyann Chin
Kimya Dawson: The Moldy Peaches, Antsy Pants, The Bundles, The Uncluded
Davey D
Michael Ealy
Fat Wreck Chords
Fugazi
Jonny 5: Flobots
Judah Friedlander
Rebecca Gates
Hank Green
Harry and the Potters
Mark Kates: Artist Manager, Fenway Recordings
Allison Kilkenny & Jamie Kilstein: Citizen Radio
Hari Kondabolu
Wayne Kramer: MC5, Jail Guitar Doors USA
Kronos Quartet
The Last Internationale
Evangeline Lilly
David Lowery: Cracker/Camper Van Beethoven
Jeff Mangum & Astra Taylor: Neutral Milk Hotel
Mirah
Scott McCaughey: Young Fresh Fellows, Minus 5
Erin McKeown
Tom Morello
Thao Nguyen: Thao & the Get Down Stay Down
OK Go
Alec Ounsworth: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Ozomatli
MartÃn Perna: Antibalas
Joe Perry: Aerosmith
Billie Perry
Boots Riley
Rich Robinson: The Black Crowes
Benji Rogers: Founder of Pledge Music
Mark Ruffalo
James Schamus
Wallace Shawn
Jill Sobule
Charlie Starr: Blackberry Smoke
Michael Stipe: R.E.M.
Oliver Stone
