The fight for Internet freedom is now being waged in earnest. On one side you have the public...on the other side you have the nation's largest telephone and cable companies, who have aligned with some in Congress to strip the Internet of the First Amendment.

The Internet offers authors and their readers a new diversity of opportunities and freedom.

The internet has proven to be a force multiplier for freedom and a censor's nightmare as efforts by repressive regimes have failed to fully restrict or block growth and access to the internet. Nevertheless, there are severe challenges to this openness.

The Internet has become what it is because of freedom of communication. Open discussion is what gives it value. There should be no cost for particular services, and email should be free and accessible to all. This will disenfranchise people.

We applaud the direction of the secretary of state in establishing the Global internet Freedom Task Force. This embraces the government-to-government approach that Yahoo has been urging.

Internet journalism could advance freedom of expression and wider view points. Although I have been convicted by Iranian courts, I have not lost hope and I am sure that in coming years the rulers of my country will have to respect the flow of information and freedom of expression.