Shareholder Astroturfing: Latest Tactic In Net Neutrality Debate

from the the-next-pointless-battle dept

We've spent way too much time on how both sides of the net neutrality debate have used astroturfing and other dishonest (or simply ridiculous) tactics to push their own side forward. However, it seems that every time you think you've seen it all, one side sinks even lower. The latest can best be described as "shareholder astroturfing." A mutual fund that owns a tiny bit of Microsoft stock is trying to use that to force the company to issue a report explaining its stand on net neutrality -- which, of course, the mutual fund claims is "expanded government regulation for the internet." Microsoft is asking the SEC if it can ignore the demand, as it really has nothing to do with Microsoft explaining its position, but is really just a PR stunt by anti-net neutrality supporters.
Hide this

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team


Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread


  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 26 Jul 2006 @ 12:50pm

    Would it matter?

    Microsoft's word (pun) couldnt be taken seriously here.. could it?

    Sigh, well, I suppose it could be taken seriously by the underinformed...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 26 Jul 2006 @ 12:51pm

    SIX HUNDRED AND THIRTY SEVENTH POST

    637th!!!!!

    (yeah, just as stupid as first post, isn't it?)

    (especially when its neither)

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Tubador Ted Stevens, 26 Jul 2006 @ 1:31pm

    Net Neutrality

    Well, if Microsoft can help me unclog the tubes so I can get my internets on time, I'll listen to them.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Insaniac, 26 Jul 2006 @ 1:43pm

      Re: Net Neutrality

      That was quite possibly the funniest statement i've seen so far about net neutrality. Well done.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      out post 371, 26 Jul 2006 @ 2:06pm

      Re: Net Neutrality

      I can see Microsoft's new slogon for vista..... Microsoft Windows Vista the Roto-Rooter for your internets.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Oldbear, 26 Jul 2006 @ 2:14pm

      Re: Net Neutrality

      LOL. Yes, maybe some senator-based draino for the "inter-web" would help

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 26 Jul 2006 @ 2:31pm

    Its important you know that the internet is not a dump truck.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous, 26 Jul 2006 @ 3:03pm

    Best article

    Probably the best article I have read on Net Neutrality can be found here.
    http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/07/17/net_neut_slow_death/

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Franssu, 26 Jul 2006 @ 3:05pm

    Microsoft could listen to these shareholders... and issue a report explaining that they support net neutrality.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Verizon watchdog, 26 Jul 2006 @ 7:07pm

    Check their business partners

    The answer to the microshareholder group is quite obvious: Verizon and Microsoft are partners. Check Verizon's DSL offer. Oh, of course there is also the bundle with Yahoo! - which just happens to be a Microsoft partner. Net neutrality is not possible with such partners, and those are the "partners" customers have to deal with in many region of the country if they want DSL.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Sohrab, 27 Jul 2006 @ 12:32am

    well Microsoft can create a new program that pushes the race horse through the tubes that are clogged

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    n00b, 27 Jul 2006 @ 9:40am

    What are you afraid of, Mike?

    Sounds like TechDirt and Microsoft are afraid to actually show a sound, studied rationale for supporting "Net Neutrality." Why bother when you can live off of pathetic emotional claims like "Tollbooth on teh interwebs!" or "Craigslist will be blocked!"

    It's so funny to hear you whine about this. "Now I've seen it all." Yes, heaven forbid a company actually be forced to explain its reasoning to its investors. If there's such good reasoning behind it -- as opposed to just being a selfish move by megacorps like Microsoft and Google -- then let's see it. Step into the real world, stupid ninja videos on youtube.com just aren't gonna cut it.

    link to this | view in chronology ]


Follow Techdirt
Essential Reading
Techdirt Deals
Report this ad  |  Hide Techdirt ads
Techdirt Insider Discord

The latest chatter on the Techdirt Insider Discord channel...

Loading...
Recent Stories

This site, like most other sites on the web, uses cookies. For more information, see our privacy policy. Got it
Close

Email This

This feature is only available to registered users. Register or sign in to use it.