Let’s be clear, net neutrality is important, and it’s under attack. Net Neutrality was the original conditions out of which the internet was born. Net neutrality provides an equal opportunity playing field, free from corporate interference. If you work in social media or any other business that relies on the internet, you should be concerned about the future of net neutrality.
What is net neutrality?
Here’s one definition:
SaveTheInternet.com frames net neutrality as follows:
Net Neutrality means no discrimination. Net Neutrality prevents Internet providers from blocking, speeding up or slowing down Web content based on its source, ownership or destination….The free and open Internet brings with it the revolutionary possibility that any Internet site could have the reach of a TV or radio station. The loss of Net Neutrality would end this unparalleled opportunity for freedom of expression.
Here’s what Lawrence Lessig and Robert W. McChesney have to say:
Without net neutrality, the Internet would start to look like cable TV. A handful of massive companies would control access and distribution of content, deciding what you get to see and how much it costs. Major industries such as health care, finance, retailing and gambling would face huge tariffs for fast, secure Internet use … Most of the great innovators in the history of the Internet started out in their garages with great ideas and little capital. This is no accident. Network neutrality protections minimized control by the network owners, maximized competition and invited outsiders in to innovate. Net neutrality guaranteed a free and competitive market for Internet content.
What can you do about it?
For one things, be informed. Know what is going on, and where net neutrality is under attack. This is not a debate to “sit out.” It’s pretty simple really, you either want:
Regulations saying that Internet Service Providers (ISP) cannot discriminate any type of traffic and must leave the internet open, free and competitive on the basis of merit.
Or you believe that Comcast, Verizon, AT&T and other ISPs, will do the right thing, avoid the temptation to generate additional profits by making strategic alliances, and should be allowed to decide FOR you what sites to deliver quickly and efficiently.
Al Franken
Whether you agree with his politics or not, he is a major advocate of net neutrality, perhaps the most vocal in our congress. This is the email I got from him today:
The sky is red. The world is flat. And two plus two equals pancakes.
These statements aren’t just false — they’re downright ridiculous. And so is the claim that net neutrality amounts to a government takeover of the Internet.
Let’s get this straight: Net neutrality isn’t a change — it’s the status quo. It’s the way the Internet operates right now: free and open. And it isn’t the government that’s attempting an Internet “takeover” — it’s the big corporations who want to undermine net neutrality and the Republicans who want to let them.
It’s important that everyone we can talk to DOES know the truth — because this anti-Internet-freedom, pro-corporate-takeover legislation is coming to the Senate.
I’m asking you to make a commitment to standing up for truth, logic, and the free and open Internet by clicking here and taking action to help us get the truth out.
- Forward this email to five friends
- Share what we’re doing in this fight on Facebook or Twitter
- Add our campaign as your instant messenger status
- Tell at least three other friends the real story of net neutrality — no clicking required!
The sky is blue. The world is round. Two plus two equals four. These are truths. Here’s another one: Net neutrality isn’t a government takeover of anything — in fact, it protects the Internet from a corporate takeover.
And here’s one more truth: It’ll only stay that way if we stand together and fight back against misinformation. Will you take a few minutes today and help save the Internet?
Al
His request was to spread awareness. That’s what this post is about.