AFI BLOG: Media and Technology

IFTA blasts MPAA’s Glickman - Variety

Prewitt defends so-called Net neutrality issue

Some independent film and television producers are mad as hell at MPAA topper Dan Glickman.

In a strongly worded letter sent to Glickman on Friday, Independent Film and Television Alliance prexy-chief Jean M. Prewitt said she was “astounded” to learn of Glickman’s recent remarks at ShoWest attacking proponents of so-called Net neutrality, which calls for some kind of governmental assurance that broadband service providers will not discriminate against Web users or sites.

“I would like to take this opportunity to lay out why this issue is so important to IFTA and the independent industry we represent and why we strongly disagree with the position you and your members have taken,” Prewitt wrote.

Speaking for member studios, Glickman had denounced any federal Net neutrality mandate, claiming it would inhibit broadband service providers from monitoring traffic for pirated content.

Prewitt described the Internet as “the only true open opportunity for independents” to reach consumers in the age of “massive industry consolidation.” She warned that the Web’s openness is currently threatened by a small number of large ISPs, which can speed or slow traffic as they see fit.

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