Today, Free Press launched an online interactive tool to expose phony grassroots groups hired by big phone and cable companies to advance their political agenda. These "astroturf" organizations -- many of which also work for the health insurance, energy and tobacco industries -- are mobilizing to spread misinformation about Network Neutrality and Internet policies.
Free Press’ new tool -- available at www.freepress.net/astroturf and easily posted on any blog or Web site -- tracks the huge amounts of money that phone and cable companies spend on lobbyists and campaign contributions; it reveals the contradictory and dishonest claims about Net Neutrality and other issues from top industry executives; and it puts a spotlight on the deceptive activities of groups like FreedomWorks, Americans for Prosperity, NetCompetition and the Heartland Institute.
"The fake grassroots groups are spending major resources to deceive the public and promote agendas of the corporations that sign their paychecks," said Timothy Karr, campaign director of Free Press. "We need transparency, accountability and honest debate. The crucial policy decisions being made right now about the future of the Internet must be based on independent research, reliable data and facts. The phone and cable companies must stop distorting the issues and hiding behind their astroturf groups, sock puppets and hired shills."
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