September 11, 2001 Research & Archives

Fact vs Fiction => Our Free Press Is Not Free Anymore => Topic started by: Archangel on August 13, 2017, 08:08:56 PM

Title: The Fight Against Net Neutrality, The Move to Take Away The Free Internet
Post by: Archangel on August 13, 2017, 08:08:56 PM
What Is Net Neutrality?

Net Neutrality is the internet's guiding principle: It preserves our right to communicate freely online.

Net Neutrality means an internet that enables and protects free speech. It means that ISPs should provide us with open networks — and shouldn't block or discriminate against any applications or content that ride over those networks. Just as your phone company shouldn't decide who you call and what you say on that call, your ISP shouldn't interfere with the content you view or post online.

Without Net Neutrality, cable and phone companies could carve the internet into fast and slow lanes. An ISP could slow down its competitors' content or block political opinions it disagreed with. ISPs could charge extra fees to the few content companies that could afford to pay for preferential treatment — relegating everyone else to a slower tier of service. This would destroy the open internet.

Net Neutrality: What You Need to Know Now

When you go online you have certain expectations. You expect to be connected to whatever website you want. You expect that your cable or phone company isn't messing with the data and is connecting you to all websites, applications and content you choose. You expect to be in control of your internet experience.

When You Use The Internet You Expect Net Neutrality.

Net Neutrality is the basic principle that prohibits internet service providers like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon from speeding up, slowing down or blocking any content, applications or websites you want to use. Net Neutrality is the way that the internet has always worked.

In 2015, millions of activists pressured the Federal Communications Commission to adopt historic Net Neutrality rules that keep the internet free and open — allowing you to share and access information of your choosing without interference.

But right now this win is in jeopardy: Trump's FCC chairman, Ajit Pai, wants to destroy Net Neutrality. And on May 18, the FCC voted to let Pai's internet-killing plan move forward.

The Problem With Not Having Net Neutrality.

Now there are agencies, corporations and individuals that want to impede upon Net Neutrality. The move will limit free speech by giving power to the corporation and government agencies to limit what you can say online, websites you can visit, how fast your connection is and other such limitations. This move would deter any voice that is not mainstream from being heard just like in the media (news and television). This would make it easier for the government to silence you if you have ideas that do not go with their point of view.