As an actor and writer, thus a creator of creative content, the internet scares the hell out of me. And while much artistic work created is pirated online, corporations do their fair share of thievery. Sites like HULU or network websites show content for "free" while refusing to pay the creative forces behind those shows. The latest contract negotiated by my union attempts to address the issue. The industry claims they make no money from showing the content online, however, they have also admitted the "limited" commercials bring in billions... Billions that go to the network, not the artists. They are also not forthcoming with the actual numbers from online advertisement during their streaming broadcasts.
I have no problem with the networks or sites like HULU showing content. I love it. It makes entertainment more accessible and continues to provide employment, but they need to be better about sharing the money that comes in.
I would love to see the internet be free for everybody, a system that uses the current television airwaves to give free net access to all people. It will never happen. Giant telecom corporations have too great a financial stake in continuing as the gatekeepers of the internet.
Perhaps they could spearhead putting a system in place to fight piracy, a way of putting guardrails on the internet, of promoting good responsible net journalism, of allowing the providers of artistic content the means to pay their artists, of ensuring a transparency in the net marketplace.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost
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