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Tabitha's Toybox · 05-01-2006, 04:11 PM

more from that same article

Quote:

The ALA position on network neutrality is based on insuring access to information resources for libraries large and small:

The Internet developed as a network of wide-open spaces with little regulation and so libraries can easily access and provide digital information, traditional library materials, web sites, and other digital tools to better serve library users. Thus far, hahaha8216;net neutralityhahaha8217; has prevented ISP-gatekeepers from blocking or discriminating against smaller, less popular or less lucrative providers. ALA asks for this neutrality to be maintained. Diverse sources of Internet content should not be marginalized by allowing ISPs to create a tiered system. 6

The Gun Owners of America argue along the lines of service, competition, and intellectual freedom:

It would be a shame if a handful of major telecoms were free to pick and choose which individuals and associations were the recipients of quality servicehahaha8212;and which were left out in the cold. Without even ascribing a political motive to their actions, greed alone will skew the Internet marketplace if companies can deny superior quality of service to those who choose to use the products of competitors. 7

In testimony before Congress on Feb. 7, 2006, Lessig asserted: hahaha8220;It is my view that Congress should ratify [former FCC chairman Michael] Powellhahaha8217;s hahaha8220;Internet Freedoms,hahaha8221; making them a part of the FCChahaha8217;s basic law.hahaha8221; 8 Chairman Powell enumerated his four freedoms in a talk at the University of Colorado School of Law on Feb. 8, 2004: 9

Freedom to Access Content. First, consumers should have access to their choice of legal content.

Freedom to Use Applications. Second, consumers should be able to run applications of their choice.

Freedom to Attach Personal Devices. Third, consumers should be permitted to attach any devices they choose to the connection in their homes, and

Freedom to Obtain Service Plan Information. Fourth, consumers should receive meaningful information regarding their service plans.

Common Cause constructs its argument along intellectual freedom lines: 10

Tell them to keep their hands off our Internet!

If successful in Congress, these companies would open the door to violate what techies call hahaha8216;net neutrality.hahaha8217; It is the principle that Internet users should be able to access any web content they want, post their own content, and use any applications they choose, without restrictions or limitations imposed by their Internet service providers (ISPs).

Net neutrality is the reason this democratic medium has grown exponentially, fueled innovation, and altered how we communicate. We must make certain that for-profit interests do not destroy the democratic culture of the Web.

The continuity of network neutrality, by my lights, is an important resource for information professionals. A hahaha8220;tieredhahaha8221; Internet perhaps threatens access by establishing differential fees for information providers. Network anti-neutrality provisions permit broadband carriers to provide barriers of access by discriminating against information providers for whatever reason, economic, political, or content. Perhaps there have been but limited examples of network neutrality by private sector actors so far. But, we do know that a privilege granted is a privilege abused. And we know that some governments, among them China, have sought to limit access for their citizens. In the final analysis, censorship is censorship. For information professionals, censorship in any form is sacrilege.

As we all know from high school civics, a committee report or even passage in one house of the legislature does not a law make. The proposed COPE legislation and other bills will work their way through the legislative process. For good or ill, the Internet as we know it is at stake. It may seem trite to suggest it, but now is the time to make your views known to your representatives in the House and the Senate.