Weekly New/Digital Media (74)

FCC votes to dismantle net neutrality as critics cry 'war on open internet'

A protest held by net neutrality activists outside the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) building in Washington on 16 May.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/may/18/net-neutrality-vote-fcc-open-internet

Summary: "Federal Communications Commission will start formal process of repealing Obama-era rule that banned internet service providers from creating fast lanes" 

 Donald Trump’s newly installed media and telecoms regulator moved to repeal Obama-era rules aimed at protecting an open internet on Thursday, the most serious move to date in what looks set to be a hard fight over the future of the internet.

 Those rules banned internet service providers (ISPs) from creating fast lanes (or slow lanes) that could favour one service over another and potentially allow them to choose winners and losers online. Critics say the rules could kill a new or existing streaming service and that free speech would be at the mercy of broadband providers.

 The regulator has claimed it was attacked by hackers but has yet to release any evidence supporting that claim. The FCC’s site also seems to have been flooded by fake, often identical, comments in support of repeal.

Key Facts/stats:

  • The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), led by chairman Ajit Pai, voted two to one to start the formal process of dismantling “net neutrality” rules put in place in 2015.
  • “Today’s notice is the start of a new chapter in the public discussion about how we can best maintain a free and open internet while making sure that ISPs have strong incentives to bring next-generation networks and services to all Americans,” said Pai.
  • But the Writers Guild of America called the move a “war on the open internet”.
  • After comedian Jon Oliver, a staunch defender of net neutrality, highlighted Pai’s intentions earlier this month, the FCC’s website crashed losing an unknown number of public comments on the potential repeal.
  • Fight for the Future, an internet activist group, has called for an investigation into the situation. “State attorneys general should immediate investigate whether people in their state were affected by this, and the FCC should immediately release any and all information that it has about who is submitting these fake comments,” said Evan Greer, campaign director of Fight for the Future

My opinion:

I think its extremely important to aim for neutrality especially by news media platforms even though it may not always be possible it is better than being completely ignored. The press has a duty to protect the interest of the general public and not just the people in power, especially after trumps allegations on fake news and trusted news brands it is vital this fight is on going and neutrality is defended. Trump is obviously not in favor of it.

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