Posted on 09/26/2007 4:55:11 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
Verizon Rejects Text Messages From Abortion Rights Group By ADAM LIPTAK
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.
Text messaging is a growing political tool in the United States and a dominant one abroad, and such sign-up programs are used by many political candidates and advocacy groups to send updates to supporters.
But legal experts said private companies like Verizon probably have the legal right to decide which messages to carry. The laws that forbid common carriers from interfering with voice transmissions on ordinary phone lines do not apply to text messages.
The dispute over the Naral messages is a skirmish in the larger battle over the question of “net neutrality” — whether carriers or Internet service providers should have a voice in the content they provide to customers.
“This is right at the heart of the problem,” said Susan Crawford, a visiting professor at the University of Michigan law school, referring to the treatment of text messages. “The fact that wireless companies can choose to discriminate is very troubling.”
In turning down the program, Verizon, one of the nation’s two largest wireless carriers, told Naral that it “does not accept issue-oriented (abortion, war, etc.) programs — only basic, general politician-related campaigns (Mitt Romney, Hillary Clinton, etc.).” Naral provided copies of its communications with Verizon to The New York Times.
Nancy Keenan, Naral’s president, said Verizon’s decision interfered with political speech and advocacy.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
I might have to change my cell phone to Verizon...
What a load of crap. Verizon knows they will get a lot of cancellations if people start getting pro abortion text msgs on their phones.
>>>>“This is right at the heart of the problem,” said Susan Crawford, a visiting professor at the University of Michigan law school, referring to the treatment of text messages. “The fact that wireless companies can choose to discriminate is very troubling.”
The issue here is a lot bigger than Abortion, it’s a question of the right of a carrier to control the political content of messages I CHOOSE to receive.
I am happy I have a verizon account for both my mobile and my PC Card!
Finally a major corporation does something right; (usually these days you only hear of bad things coming out of the corporate world..)>!
ping
“The issue here is a lot bigger than Abortion, it’s a question of the right of a carrier to control the political content of messages I CHOOSE to receive.”
Exactly. This is a bad, bad precedent, people. Think about it - is most of corporate America more likely to censor liberals or conservatives?
We might like the censorship here, but I can assure you, we won’t like it the next time...
FR bans people all the time. They're free to go elsewhere. Verizon's organization, verizon's rules.
WOOOHOOOO — VERIZON! It is a start. I will call them (they are my carrier) and thank them for the start.
I understand the question about what will they choose to NOT allow access next time.... It is a business, where you pay for the services. Would you want to be bombarded by advertising messages? Let alone those that are against your values? Whether their motivation is right, or not....it is a move in the direction of the RIGHT. God has moved governments in the past to do His bidding....why not a cell phone company?
Another side of this coin....how many TEENS have cell phones? Would you want your teen bombarded by NARAL and PP advertisements in text messages? If they (NARAL, PP) were allowed to do that, how far would it go? Where would it stop? I prefer to see this as a VERY POSITIVE thing in the world of so many negatives.
May Verizon continue to make wise decisions that match my values!
The problem is that Verizon would also ban Pro Life text messages if such a group wanted to send them.
“I might have to change my cell phone to Verizon...”
Let’s all do that!!
It’s theit network, not yours not NARAL’s.
“WOOOHOOOO — VERIZON! It is a start. I will call them (they are my carrier) and thank them for the start.”
You realize, don’t you, that under this reasoning Verizon will also ban pro life text messages? Do you still think it’s good?
“I might have to change my cell phone to Verizon...”
Let’s all do that!!”
Will you switch again when they ban pro life messages?
“it is a move in the direction of the RIGHT.”
EXACTLY, and we should support Verizon to send a message to other businesses.
“Will you switch again when they ban pro life messages?”
What makes you think they will do that??
PLUS, some of the other cell phone companies support a left-wing agenda, but not Verizon.
Please do research on the company that you now have.
Thanks.
I don't think that these are "unsolicited" messages. Users have to send a message to NARAL via text message to sign up for these messages from NARAL. Verizon is just not allowing NARAL to use Verizon's network for this purpose. I don't really see a problem with this.
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