An 11th hour rally for net neutrality
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Even as FCC chairman Ajit Pai moves forward with his plan to repeal net neutrality, advocates for the rules are mounting a full-court press.
The big picture: Opinions range on a future without net neutrality from those who see competition leading to little change to those who fear a drastically changed world with fast and slow lanes, people being forced to pay extra for the full internet, as well as deals that prioritize content produced by wealthy firms.
- Jessica Rosenworcel, part of the Democratic minority on the commission, wrote an op-ed in the LA Times urging people to take action.
- Meanwhile, a Columbia law professor wrote a piece in the New York Times making the case for the courts to get involved.
- One of the most impassioned pleas has come from the ranks of Silicon Valley — the HBO show, not the actual tech hotbed upon which it is based. Actor Kumail Nanjiani (who plays Dinesh on the show) has offered up consistent and cogent arguments on why such protections are needed.
- Even if the repeal takes place at the FCC, many people (even some opposed to the FCC being involved) want to see Congress codify at least some of the principles at the heart of net neutrality
Go Deeper: I spoke about the current state of net neutrality on NPR's Weekend Edition, including the varied views on what the internet might look like in the absence of net neutrality rules. Meanwhile, Kim Hart offered up her view on PBS' NewsHour.
