The Open Video Alliance recently joined a number of organizations in signing the “We Must Protect Net Neutrality in Europe!” open letter to the European Parliament. Network Neutrality has been in the spotlight recently in Europe with regards to the EU’s Telecoms Package. Recently, many European telecom companies have employed discriminatory practices that add an extra step between the sending and receiving of content. This roadblock is antithetical to progress, to innovation, and to the fundamental openness of the web. The petition requests members of the European Parliament to understand the benefits of a neutral internet and act accordingly:

We who have signed this open letter urge the European Parliament to protect the freedom to receive and distribute content, and to use services and applications without interference from private actors. We call on the Members of the Parliament to take decisive action during the ongoing negotiation of the Telecoms Package in order to guarantee a free, open and innovative Internet, and to safeguard the fundamental freedoms of European citizens.

The petition was spearheaded by La Quadrature du Net, a French civil liberties group that specializes in topics in the digital age. We encourage other organizations to join onto the list of signatories. This is action that is not only important for openness and media, but also for the future of the internet in general.