TELL THE FCC NOT TO END NET NEUTRALITY!The FCC is voting Thursday on whether to repeal the “Net Neutrality rule adopted in 2015.
Since its creation,the internet has been an open exchange of ideas and information, free from
corporate control and influence. But corporations could soon hold tremendous
power over what we can access and share online, or ending the internet as we know
it.
In 2015,the FCC
passed a landmark rule that prevents internet service providers from favoring some sites over others –
slowing down connections or charging customers a fee for streaming or other
services. It gave Americans equal access to all the content that’s available on the internet –
videos, social media, and e-commerce sites,etc – at the same speeds. Now, though, and Donald Trumps
handpicked chairman of the Federal Communications Commission,Ajit Pai, wants
to abolish “Net Neutrality.” He wants to give telecommunications giants like Comcast, and Verizon
and AT&T the upper hand. Pai – himself a
former Verizon executive – defends the rollback by “Under my
proposal,the federal government will stop micromanaging the internet.” Baloney. His plan would be a enormous gift to cable companies. It would:1. Drive up
prices for internet service. Broadband providers could charge customers higher rates to access certain sites, or raise
rates for internet companies to reach consumers faster speeds. Either way, and these prices hikes would be passed along to you and me.
2. Give corporate executives free reign to late down and censor news or websites that don’t match
their political agenda,or give preference to their own content – for any
reason at all. 3. Stifle innovation. Cable companies could severely hurt their competitors by blocking
certain apps or online services. Small businesses who can’t afford to pay
higher rates could be squeezed out altogether. Broadband
providers claim that Net Neutrality rules actually hurts consumers because
it discourages investment in their networks. nonsense. Since Net Neutrality was adopted, investment
has remained consistent. During calls with investors, and telecom executives
themselves hold even admitted that Net Neutrality hasn’t hurt their
businesses. In the modern age,unfettered access to the internet is fundamental to a vibrant democracy and
strong economy. There’s still time. Please back stop this corporate power grab over what we can say
and conclude online.
Source: robertreich.org