Folks for a net neutrality are celebrating--at least for the moment. Earlier this week, Democrats Rep. John Conyers (Michigan), who is African American, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (from the Silicon Valley area of California) introduced a bill--the Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act--that would subject broadband providers to antitrust violations if they block or slow Internet traffic

. "Hollywood’s creative community depends on Net Neutrality to guarantee that the Internet remains a free-flowing medium for independent writers, producers and filmmakers," notes Jen Howard, spokesperson for Free Press (http://www.freepress.net/conference [1]), the largest media reform organization in the U.S. whose efforts include SaveTheInternet.com [2].

The bill's passage would result in keeping the Internet free and open. "The larger goal is affordable Internet access for everyone, everywhere. We need a competitive Internet that will bring lower prices, faster speeds and more choices to all Americans," says Howard. "If Internet service providers continue to block Web sites and services, Americans will be denied the economic and social opportunities that innovative technologies promise."

You might want to mark your calendars for June 6-8 when Free Press holds its National Conference for Media Reform in Minneapolis. The Net Neutrality issue is of great concern, of course, to African Americans in new media as this new distribution avenue is vital. Shout out to Conyers for is efforts to push this forward. You know, we'll keep you posted on any other developments.