FEBRUARY 27, 2018: Today is the Operation: #OneMoreVote day of action to save net neutrality, and there needs to be a massive outcry from Americans across the country to stop Ajit Pai and the FCC from handing over control of the internet to companies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T.
Despite enormous public opposition, the FCC’s repeal of net neutrality has officially been entered into the Federal Register. Now the Senate must act in the next 60 days to stop the repeal and save the internet or big cable companies will have the control over the internet they’ve always wanted.
What does this mean for the music industry?
As shared by Digital Music News:
Today, to make a living, you (or your band) may sell, distribute and promote your music. Streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music may offer subsistence, but direct online sales of merchandise and concert tickets may offer a bigger payout.
If (and when) the FCC eliminates net neutrality rules, larger companies could easily lobby for “premium prioritization.” This means that consumers would have to pay more to access their favorite sites. Your website may not make the list.
Access to the internet could become a two-tiered system based solely on financial success.
American ISPs would likely sell consumers faster access to sites. Larger companies would quickly divert traffic away from smaller, independent websites that help musicians. Popular social media networks, including Facebook and Twitter, could easily charge musicians more to promote their music.
Independent musicians, DJs, producers, and bands, meanwhile, would face rapid marginalization. Major music labels could pay Facebook to promote big-name artists like Taylor Swift and Adele. Users on these platforms, and even on video services (YouTube, Vimeo), would constantly see ads for these big names.
Indie artists could face an uphill battle just to get noticed.
In the end, musicians would live the worst-case scenario: a lopsided music industry favoring the strong.
Net neutrality is too important to the future of our democracy to give up now. We cannot back down and we have a real shot at saving the internet if we band together and take action.
Take action right now to protect the future of the internet!
