Can You Hear Us Now? Verizon shouldn't be a cellphone censor

[bliss_eternal]

Can You Hear Us Now? Verizon Shouldn't Be A Cellphone Censor

Posted: 10/17/2007


The Washington Post
Can You Hear Us Now?
Verizon Shouldn't Be A Cellphone Censor
Nancy Keenan and Roberta Combs
Wednesday, October 17, 2007


As the presidents of NARAL Pro-Choice America and the Christian Coalition of America, we are on opposite sides of almost every issue. But when it comes to the fundamental right of citizens to participate in the political process, we're united -- and very, very worried.

Free speech shouldn't stop when you turn on your computer or pick up your cellphone. But recent actions by the nation's biggest communications corporations should be of grave concern to all who care about public participation in our democracy, particularly our leaders in Congress.

Last month, Verizon Wireless refused to approve NARAL Pro-Choice America's application for a text-messaging "short code," a program that enables people to voluntarily sign up to receive updates by texting a five-digit code. When NARAL Pro-Choice America protested, the nation's second-largest wireless carrier initially claimed the right to block any content "that, in its discretion, may be seen as controversial or unsavory."

After news of Verizon's censorship hit the front page of the New York Times, and sparked a public outcry, the company quickly backpedaled. Verizon issued an apology and blamed the blocking on a "dusty internal policy," while still reserving the right to block text messages in the future at its discretion.

When it comes to censoring free speech, sorry just isn't good enough. Whatever your political views -- conservative or liberal, Republican or Democrat, pro-choice or pro-life -- it shouldn't be up to Verizon to determine whether you receive the information you requested. Why should any company decide what you choose to say or do over your phone, your computer or your BlackBerry? Technologies are converging in our communications system, but the principles of free expression and the rights of all Americans to speak without intervention should remain paramount.

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excerpt from:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/16/AR2007101601536.html?hpid=opinionsbox1