After dropping too much cash on gifts and sale items this month, I decided I needed to throw some more money at something that actually mattered, so today I donated to both Creative Commons and the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Both of these organizations play an important role in protecting our rights online from corporate interests and our own misguided government alike. EFF provides informed opinions on technology issues for politicians and media, and organizes the public whenever our rights are threatened. CC offers an alternative to monolithic American copyright law by working within the established system to offer more specific copyright schemes. Together, they’re making sure that emerging independent media like blogging, podcasting, and vlogging get the chance to challenge mainstream media, and that the internet remains a free and open marketplace for creativity. As tools and techniques become more accessible in these fields, the work these organizations do will go from being important to being mission-critical.

So, if you’ve got a few dollars left after all your holiday shopping, I urge you to think about donating to Creative Commons or the Electronic Frontier Foundation. CC, in particular, is in need of several hundred thousand dollars more before the end of 2005 in order to prove to the IRS that they have “public support” and can retain their non-profit status.

2006 is going to be a big year for digital media, on your desk, in your living room, and in the palm of your hand. In 2005, I saw even many of my least-internet-saavy friends begin blogging, and I expect the same to happen for audio and video next year. If for nothing else, show some support for the non-profits who are making sure you will be able to do that, and that the media of tomorrow will be made up of a billion points of light.