Press Release
Verizon Can't Be Trusted to Protect Free Speech
Contact: Timothy Karr, 201-533-8838
WASHINGTON -- Today's New York Times reports that Verizon censored a text message from the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL). The phone company is claiming that the incident was the result of "dusty internal policy."
Josh Silver, executive director of Free Press, the group that coordinates the SavetheInternet.com Coalition, issued the following statement:
"Verizon and AT&T cannot be trusted to safeguard basic American freedoms. Every time one of these phone companies is caught red-handed -- spying on Americans, censoring musicians and now silencing political views -- they claim it was a one-time glitch. But how many mistakes does it take before we admit there's a bigger problem here?"
"The fundamental democratic principles of free speech, privacy and open communication are too important to be entrusted to these corporate gatekeepers. Whether it's liberal or conservative, Democrat or Republican, pro-choice or pro-gun, the phone companies can't get to pick and choose what messages get through. Congress needs to step in immediately to protect free speech and the free flow of information."
Josh Silver, executive director of Free Press, the group that coordinates the SavetheInternet.com Coalition, issued the following statement:
"Verizon and AT&T cannot be trusted to safeguard basic American freedoms. Every time one of these phone companies is caught red-handed -- spying on Americans, censoring musicians and now silencing political views -- they claim it was a one-time glitch. But how many mistakes does it take before we admit there's a bigger problem here?"
"The fundamental democratic principles of free speech, privacy and open communication are too important to be entrusted to these corporate gatekeepers. Whether it's liberal or conservative, Democrat or Republican, pro-choice or pro-gun, the phone companies can't get to pick and choose what messages get through. Congress needs to step in immediately to protect free speech and the free flow of information."
