Protect net neutrality and Internet freedom

[Commentary] How do you use the World Wide Web? People use it for all kinds of different things: to read email, post an update on social media, check in to a work meeting, navigate to a destination, enjoy a favorite song or album. It’s your choice. When I invented the World Wide Web as an information sharing system in 1989, I aimed to create a neutral space where everyone could create, share, debate, innovate, learn and dream. That’s why I gave my invention away for free, so that anyone, anywhere could access and build on it without permission. My vision was an online space that would give people freedom — and America’s entrepreneurial, optimistic spirit embraced it with enthusiasm. In the early days, there was a wonderful spirit of empowerment of individuals. I could read any blog I liked, and I could write my own blog with links pointing to my favorite things. Anyone could put their small business online. Now that vision is threatened. That choice you have to use the Web for whatever you want could be taken away. One of the greatest threats to the Web in America is the plan by the Federal Communications Commission to roll back America’s open Internet safeguards. 

Please help. If you believe a small group of companies should not control what you can access online, if you want your small business to be given a level online playing field, if you want the freedom to surf the Web freely with the same rights and privileges as others — call your congressional representatives today to urge them to stop the FCC from overturning net neutrality. We’ll know next week whether the FCC will vote on net neutrality protections before the end of the year. Tell members of Congress that American voters deserve the free, open, neutral Internet that we need to support democracy and economic growth. Let them know that the Web is for everyone, and that we stand together, ready to fight for it.