Strange bedfellows: F. Jim, Moby, R.E.M.

Net neutrality may not be on most people's radar screens, but it is a hot issue among Internet users and provider, and folks like Save the Internet Coalition, who can explain better than I can what it's all about and what's at stake.

Here's the latest, from Consumer Affairs:

Net Neutrality Attracts Surprising Allies
Supporters Include Sensenbrenner, R.E.M., Moby, Christian Coalition

Until recently, the phrase "stands up for the little guy" wasn't one you would readily append to Congressman F. James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), chairman of the powerful House Judiciary Committee.

Sensenbrenner is perhaps best known for refusing to hold hearings on granting bankruptcy relief to victims of Hurricane Katrina. More recently, he authored a House bill that would have criminalized all illegal immigrants and those that give them aid.

But when it comes to the issue of net neutrality, Sensenbrenner is on the side of the underdog.

After failing to get new updates to the Telecommunications Act of 1996 referred to his committee in order to add provisions defending net neutrality, sources on Capitol Hill say the committee chairman is preparing his own legislation that addresses the issue of Internet service providers blocking content or making consumers pay extra fees...

The moves by the Judiciary Committee have slowed the pace of the new telecom legislation, authored by Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), a staunch ally of the Bell telephone companies, from reaching the House floor. With the House soon to recess due to the Memorial Day holiday, hearings on the bill may be delayed until June...

Sensenbrenner isn't the only unexpected ally to join the coalition of interest groups, academics, bloggers, and celebrities who are supporting net neutrality.

The Christian Coalition recently announced that it was joining the "Save The Internet" campaign to "prevent the large phone and cable companies from discriminating against Web sites."

Christian Coalition president Roberta Combs said that the ability of telecom and cable companies to block Internet content would harm the Coalition's pro-life agenda.

"What if a cable company with a pro-choice Board of Directors decides that it doesn't like a pro-life organization using its high-speed network to encourage pro-life activities? Under the new rules, they could slow down the pro-life web site, harming their ability to communicate with other pro-lifers — and it would be legal," she said.

Rockers R.E.M and Moby are also supporting the "Save The Internet" campaign, which has collected nearly 700,000 petition signatures to support keeping Internet content free and unfettered.