We all take for granted the freedom that the internet gives us to access any piece of information, ranging from the smallest website to the largest. Most importantly, we take for granted the freedom it gives us to share our opinions. Imagine, if you will, an Internet where certain websites are blocked or take a prolonged amount of time to load just because the broadband provider you subscribe to doesn’t agree with the opinions or content presented on them. The great innovations that come from an open, collaborative environment would be stalled, if not completely halted.
The idea of network neutrality, or “net neutrality,” is that the Internet should always be the open and diverse environment that it has been. Having a neutral net would ensure that every time you open your web browser, every site you visit is just as accessible as the next. This is not restricted solely to websites; net neutrality also includes the right to use an instant messaging client, download music, or watch streaming videos. Without net neutrality, our ability to easily communicate and collaborate with others would be in serious danger of being restricted.
Right now, broadband providers are trying to pass laws that will allow them to charge companies and site owners even more for the use of their network, and then in turn charge users for access to sites which will not pay the fee. In essence, the broadband providers want a tiered Internet where the amount of money you give them decides what content you can access and who can access your content. This could lead to an Internet infrastructure similar to that of cable television packages.
If the broadband providers are successful, then many highly-opinionated and popular weblogs and websites could become inaccessible to users, and may even cause them to shut down just because a certain company disagrees with their content. This directly challenges the people’s right to freedom of speech.
A restricted web would also eliminate the kind of friendly corporate competition that has kept the Internet at the forefront of innovative technology. For example, if a broadband provider has their own social networking website, it is clearly not in their best interest to allow users to easily access the more popular sites, like MySpace or Facebook. Slowly, users would be restricted to viewing what some company wants them to see and not what they actually want to see.
There is a way to stop this. A bill was recently introduced that will safeguard the basic principles of the free Internet. It has the support of Internet giants such as Google, Amazon, and eBay, and has also been supported by thousands of web users through petitions and letters. Everyone can help and be heard. Visit http://www.ItsOurNet.org/ or http://www.SaveTheInternet.com/ to find out what you can do, because unless something is done, phrases like, “Yes, I’d like to purchase the ‘Premium Google Web Package!’” may not be far from entering our vocabulary.
Editor’s Note: “The Elephant’s Peanut Gallery” and “Straight from the Ass’s Mouth” run biweekly and are opinion columns granted by the Editorial Board to the College Republicans and the College Democrats.
