URGENT: Call now to stop the Broadcast Flags!

Danny sez,

The RIAA and MPAA have been jostling to get the broadcast flag *and* the audio flag into the monster telecoms reform bill.

They got it into the official Republican version, which is being considered in committee tomorrow (Thursday). But Senator Sununu (R-NH), who peppered the MPAA and RIAA with tough questions when they spoke to the committee, has filed an amendment to get the flags thrown out.

We think Sununu is in with a chance - Democrats are angry at the anti-consumer tone of the final bill (which also lacks strong network neutrality provisions), and Republicans are chafing at entertainment industry's yearn to over-regulate.

These are the bills that the Corruptibles cartoon describe - not futuristic theories about what Hollywood could do, but actual laws being considered right now.

If you're in the States below, call your Senator NOW, and ask him or her to support the Sununu amendment to remove both TV and audio flags (he also has an amendment to modify the audio flag, so be clear you want to kick out both flags). If your Senator is a Republican, warn them about giving the FCC extra powers. If your Senator is a Democrat, explain how bad this is for consumer rights. Either way, tell them that entertainment industry requests have no place in a telecoms reform bill, and they need to be kept out.

Chairman Ted Stevens (AK), [phone] 
John McCain (AZ), [phone] 
Conrad Burns (MT), Main: 202-224-2644 
Trent Lott (MS), [phone] 
Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX), [phone] 
Gordon H. Smith (OR), [phone]
John Ensign (NV), [phone] 
George Allen (VA), [phone] 
John E. Sununu (NH), [phone] 
Jim DeMint (SC), [phone] 
David Vitter (LA),[phone] 
Co-Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (HI), [phone] 
John D. Rockefeller (WV), [phone] 
John F. Kerry (MA), [phone] 
Barbara Boxer (CA), [phone] 
Bill Nelson (FL), [phone] 
Maria Cantwell (WA), [phone] 
Frank R. Lautenberg (NJ), [phone] 
E. Benjamin Nelson (NE), [phone] 
Mark Pryor (AR), [phone] 

Link (Thanks, Danny!)