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September 27, 2007
Verizon rejects pro-choice text messaging
Apparently, being pro-choice is "unsavory."
Saying it had the right to block “controversial or unsavory” text messages, Verizon Wireless has rejected a request from Naral Pro-Choice America, the abortion rights group, to make Verizon’s mobile network available for a text-message program.The other leading wireless carriers have accepted the program, which allows people to sign up for text messages from Naral by sending a message to a five-digit number known as a short code.
And what was this oh-so-controversial message? "End Bush’s global gag rule against birth control for world’s poorest women! Call Congress. (202) 224-3121. Thnx! Naral Text4Choice.” Uh, yeah.
This isn't just a reproductive justice issue, though. Timothy Karr at The Huffington post writes:
The truth is that whenever given the choice, phone companies will opt to discriminate against content they don't like. Such efforts to stem the free flow of information should be a wake up call for anyone concerned about phone company plans to begin filtering Internet content.Verizon and AT&T routinely rail against Net Neutrality as a "solution in search of a problem." They swarm Washington with lobbyists offering promises never to interfere with the free flow of online content. And then they lobby for new laws that will allow them to do just that.
So please, support NARAL Pro-Choice America and sign up for their text-messaging campaign.
Come back later, we'll have more ways to take action.
Posted by Jessica at September 27, 2007 9:21 AM
Comments
Interested members might consider going to the Verizon Wireless web site and send a message to Verizon about this issue. A critical mass of messages might get their attention.
Posted by: girlgeek at September 27, 2007 10:52 AM