In The Internet Tree: The State of Telecom Policy in Canada 3.0, edited by Marita Moll and Leslie Regan Shade, committed public interest advocates and academics present primers on provocative digital policy issues: broadband access, copyright, net neutrality, privacy, and security, along with a consideration of structures of participation in policy-making and communication rights. Contributors to The Internet Tree argue for a digital economy strategy that casts a winning vote for openness, broadband as an essential service, and community engagement and inclusion.
To order a copy from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives:
http://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/internet-tree
The Table of Contents and Preface can be found here:
http://www.policyalternatives.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/publications/National%20Office/2011/06/ToC%20and%20Preface%20for%20Web.pdf
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A delightful trip up the Canadian north with an engaging cast of characters, to discuss why broadband should be considered an essential service. Produced by the talented students in COMS 644.
http://vimeo.com/23438041
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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.
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Resources from the Campaign for Democratic Media
Save Our Net: Protecting Your Internet
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Associate Professor at Concordia University. BA, Communication/Visual Arts, University of California, San Diego. MA, Library & Information Science, UCLA. PhD, Communication, McGill University.
My research and teaching for the last decade or so focuses on the social, policy, and ethical aspects of information & communication technologies. Keywords: internet, access, gender, public interest, feminist(isms), policy, media reform, youth, Canadian communication studies, and political economy.
