Freedom of Speech – Trillium Asset Management

Network Neutrality On Wireless Networks – AT&T (2012)

December 19, 2011

Whereas: The open (non-discriminatory) architecture of the Internet is critical to the prosperity of our economy and society. Non-discrimination principles are commonly referred to as “network neutrality” and seek to ensure equal access and non-discriminatory treatment for all content. As President Obama and Federal Communication Commission Chairman Genachowski have pointed out, an open Internet plays a pivotal role in solving critical national problems such as healthcare, education, energy, and public safety and is necessary “to preserve the freedom and openness that have allowed the Internet to become a transformative and powerful platform for speech and expression.” Network neutrality rules are …

Seasonal Wrap-up: Trillium's 2011 Engagement Highlights

September 13, 2011

Trillium Asset Management, LLC, a Boston-based pioneer in the field of environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing, reported out today on the results of its 2011 proxy season engagements with nearly two dozen major U.S. corporations. (For a full listing of our 2011 Shareholder Proposals, scroll to the end of the page.) “A good portion of our dialogues and resolutions resulted in agreements with companies to improve policies and provide more transparency,” said Matthew Patsky, CEO of Trillium. “Both are helpful in assessing the environmental, social and governance risks and their financial impact on shareholders.” Trillium’s ESG program addressed a …

Century Link – Privacy and Freedom of Expression on the Internet (2011)

December 2, 2010

The Internet is becoming the defining infrastructure of our economy and society in the 21st century. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) like our company forge rules that shape, enable and limit Internet use. As such, ISPs have a weighty responsibility in devising network management practices. ISPs must give far-ranging thought to how these practices serve to promote–or inhibit– public participation in the economy and in civil society. Of fundamental concern is the effect ISPs’ network management practices have on public expectations of privacy and freedom of expression on the Internet. WHEREAS The Internet serves as an engine of opportunity for social, …

Verizon – Network Neutrality (2011)

December 2, 2010

WHEREAS A free and open Internet is critical to our nation’s economy and society. To maintain its many benefits, broad non-discrimination principles must be vigorously applied to the fastest-growing segment of the Internet – wireless broadband networks. These non-discrimination principles are commonly referred to as “network neutrality.” According to the Congressional Research Service, network neutrality seeks “to ensure equal access and non-discriminatory treatment” for all content. Network neutrality rules are needed to “facilitate the growth of the Internet and give private companies the correct incentives to continue investing in this significantly valuable good,” according to a 2010 report by the …

Verizon – Free and Open Internet (2010)

February 4, 2010

WHEREAS The Internet has become a defining infrastructure of our economy and society; Internet Service Providers like Verizon forge rules that shape, enable and limit Internet use. Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Chairman Genachowski recently noted that a free and open Internet is an “unprecedented platform for speech, democratic engagement, and a culture that prizes creative new ways of approaching old problems.” A free and open Internet, he said, demands Americans’ attention because the Internet must play a critical role in solving the “great challenges [we face] as a nation right now, including health care, education, energy, and public safety.” He …

AT&T – Free and Open Internet (2010)

February 4, 2010

WHEREAS The Internet has become a defining infrastructure of our economy and society; Internet Service Providers like AT&T forge rules that shape, enable and limit Internet use. Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Chairman Genachowski recently noted that a free and open Internet is an “unprecedented platform for speech, democratic engagement, and a culture that prizes creative new ways of approaching old problems.” A free and open Internet, he said, demands Americans’ attention because the Internet must play a critical role in solving the “great challenges [we face] as a nation right now, including health care, education, energy, and public safety.” He …

Institutional Investors Learn More About Trillium's Pioneering Work on Internet Freedom

December 29, 2009

RiskMetrics Group’s “Sustainability Risk Monitor” – widely read by the influential institutional investor community – used its cover story this month to give in depth coverage to Open MIC’s 2010 open and free Internet shareholder campaign. Open MIC, which Trillium founded, is coordinating proposals at AT&T, Verizon, Qwest, Comcast and many other companies in an effort to protect the free and open architecture of the Internet. This principle, also know as Network Neutrality, is critical for those who work for a more sustainable society. It helps preserve the Internet as a level playing field where individuals and groups can speak …

Open MIC Announces Significant Shareholder Votes on Internet Privacy and Freedom of Speech

May 13, 2009

Investors in two major U.S. Internet Service Providers – CenturyTel, Inc. and EarthLink, Inc. – voted in substantial numbers in favor of a first-time shareholder resolution that highlighted the importance of Internet management practices and their impact on Internet privacy and freedom of expression. The resolutions, which were filed and voted on for the first time this year, attracted 30.49% of the vote at CenturyTel and 9.25% at EarthLink. Taken together, the votes mean that investors controlling stock worth more than $900 million voted in favor of the resolutions at the two companies. “This is the kind of vote that …

Verizon – Internet Censorship (2009)

February 25, 2009

WHEREAS The Internet is becoming the defining infrastructure of our economy and society in the 21st century. Its potential to open markets for commerce, venues for cultural expression and modalities of civic engagement is without historic parallel. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are gatekeepers to this infrastructure: providing access, managing traffic, insuring communication, and forging rules that shape, enable and limit the public’s Internet use. As such, ISPs have a weighty responsibility in devising network management practices. ISPs must give far-ranging thought to how these practices serve to promote–or inhibit–the public’s participation in the economy and in civil society. Of fundamental …

Comcast – Free & Open Internet (2009)

February 12, 2009

WHEREAS The Internet is becoming the defining infrastructure of our economy and society in the 21st century. Its potential to open new markets for commerce, new venues for cultural expression and new modalities of civic engagement is without historic parallel. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) serve as gatekeepers to this infrastructure: providing access, managing traffic, insuring communication, and forging rules that shape, enable and limit the public’s use of the Internet. As such, ISPs have a weighty responsibility in devising network management practices. ISPs must give far-ranging thought to how these practices serve to promote–or inhibit–the public’s participation in the economy …