6 easy ways to call your reps now and demand net neutrality
Net neutrality is in jeopardy. It's time for you to take action.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which is the U.S. government's media regulator, is planning to completely scrap Obama-era rules protecting the idea that the internet should be an even playing field. Without these rules, the door is open for internet service providers like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast to potentially favor or discriminate against certain content and services, accept money for preferential treatment, or even charge users more for better access.
Put simply: online free speech, innovation, and creativity are at stake.
The FCC and its chairman, Ajit Pai, are cleverly burying the news this week while much of the country is focused on the Thanksgiving holiday. Voting on the rules is expected to take place as early as Dec. 14.
But you can join the fight immediately in one major way: call your representatives.
Your lawmakers in Congress have the power to stop the FCC's elimination of net neutrality rules, and as we've seen time and time again, calling your reps actually works.
Here are a few tools that will help you contact your members of Congress, demand a free and fair internet, and make your voice heard.
Be sure to also educate yourself on the topic of net neutrality, and keep your eyes peeled for protests across the country, online and off.
1. Battle for the Net
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Battle for the Net is a joint initiative from three organizations fighting to protect net neutrality: Fight for the Future, Demand Progress, and the Free Press Action Fund. This central hub gives you a great overview of the issue and what the FCC is trying to do.
The website has a tool, front and center, where you can enter your phone number and you'll be connected to your representative. You'll also get a suggested script of what to say.
Find more info here.
2. 5 Calls
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5 Calls doesn't just make it easy to call Congress -- it gives you a direct line to Pai's office at the FCC, too. The site's net neutrality page includes short instructions and scripts for you to read from, so you can speak with confidence.
Check it out here.
3. Free Press Action Fund
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The Free Press Action Fund finds the right numbers for you to call just by your ZIP code. You can take action at the Free Press website and also on the Save the Internet site.
4. Electronic Frontier Foundation
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Not into phone calls? No problem. The Electronic Frontier Foundation, which defends "your civil liberties in a digital world," has a tool that lets you customize an email message to your representatives.
Find it here.
5. CREDO Action
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Progressive change organization CREDO Action has a clearly outlined, step-by-step guide for calling your reps about net neutrality.
Click here to use the tool.
6. ACLU
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The ACLU is known for taking action on a variety of social issues, and it's partnering with Fight for the Future and the Harry Potter Alliance to fight for net neutrality.
Find the organization's call tool and a helpful script here.
BONUS: Consider donating to impactful organizations
Beyond calling Congress, various grassroots efforts are leading the charge to make sure the government hears your voice on net neutrality.
Here are a few organizations that you can support:
Related Video: What is net neutrality?
Topics Activism FCC Net Neutrality Social Good Verizon
Matt Petronzio was the Social Good Editor at Mashable, where he led coverage surrounding social impact, activism, identities, and world-changing innovation. He was based at the New York City headquarters from January 2012 to April 2018, and previously worked as the assistant features editor.
