Sexing Up Net Neutrality

And from Ethan Feldman in The McGill Daily (March 23, 2009):
http://www.mcgilldaily.com/article/18739

With Internet service providers (ISPs) able to control content and give preferential speed to compliant web sites, questions have been raised about the interconnection between network neutrality and the right to free speech.

Three panelists discussed net neutrality – broadband networks free of restrictions on content, sites, or platforms – on Wednesday, in a talk organized by Flo Schade, U1 Industrial Relations and Vice President of the McGill chapter of Borderless World Volunteers.

Panelist Leslie Shade, associate professor of media studies and MA Program Director at Concordia University, admitted that a discussion revolving around packets and bits often makes the debate unappealing to the average person.

“How can you sex [net neutrality] up a bit? There’s so much technical information that it’s hard for most to get a grasp of why it’s an important issue,” Shade said.

The net neutrality debate centers on what rights ISPs – such as AT&T, Bell, and Videotron – have over the information transferred on their wires, which may restrict end-user’s right to equal access to Internet files.

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009, by Lshade and is filed under "Telecommunications Policy ". You can leave a response here, or send a Trackback from your own site.