REC Networks has a history of providing a method of free speech through electronic means since 1984. REC started as a "soap box" on the telephone and has extended into other entertainment services that were innovative at the time. REC would later use its programming resources to educate and inform the public on media justice, telecommunications and the citizen's right to access the public airwaves. REC's J1 Radio is both a personal interest and is also bringing culture and a music genre that the world does not get too many chances to hear. We are also gearing J1 to be an alternative English language voice in the Tokyo Metropolitan area and the rest of Japan.
While REC did not come on the internet until 1995, we have been an innovator over these past 26 years. Since 1995, our innovations have been possible through an open, uncensored internet.
Legislation such as the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA) are the wrong approaches for dealing with the ongoing issue of media piracy. Giving the government the keys to the domain name server (DNS) network opens the door for censorship of the internet, especially if the capability is abused by future administrations.
This legislation will also stifle creativity and puts the rights of fair use in jeopardy. What is even more dangerous is that the government will be at the beck-and-call of the recording and motion picture industries to shut down entire sites if there is a suspicion of infringing content, without due process. At least the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, as outdated as it is, does provide some elements of due process.
Websites like Google are doing online protests while Wikipedia is completely blacking out its English content. After careful consideration, REC Networks, while opposed to SOPA and PIPA, will not be doing any kind of online protest or blackout on any of our properties including J1 Radio. In the case of J1 Radio, less than 40% of our total listening hours come from the United States and it would not be appropriate to penalize the world because of bad American policy.
For our users and listeners in the United States, I urge you to contact your lawmakers and tell them that you oppose SOPA and PIPA.
Michi Eyre
founder, REC Networks
director, J1 Radio
