Safeguarding Free Speech in the Digital Age

[Commentary] Network neutrality is simple: It means that Internet users have the right to connect with anyone else on the network without their service providers discriminating, censoring or otherwise interfering with their communications.

The Federal Communications Commission is the agency with the power to prevent companies like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon from blocking content or favoring certain websites over others. But so far it’s been reluctant to act on behalf of Internet users. So an issue drawing broad support across the country is being held hostage by a political climate that’s controlled by special interests and spin. An industry-friendly columnist writing for the Wall Street Journal even called net neutrality “a government takeover of the Internet.” Not at all. Net neutrality was baked into the DNA of the Internet at its inception. It’s allowed us to decide where we go on the network without access providers hindering our movement. Guaranteeing net neutrality doesn’t let the government seize control of the network. Instead, it preserves the very democratic idea that the Internet is a space shared and shaped by its millions of users. But false claims persist.

[Karr is an online, free speech advocate at Free Press]