When asked to define net neutrality, the simple definition becomes more and more complex as its different elements unfold. Net neutrality can be defined as a the principle that states that Internet service providers should allow access to all areas of the internet regardless of where the content comes from, and without favoring or blocking particular elements. This means that companies like AT&T, Comcast, or Orange should treat all content and users equally. Without net neutrality, or the legislature that enforces it, these companies have the power to block certain information from certain people. This concept may not seem very severe at first glance, but when you begin to think about the implications that the lack of net neutrality has on people, the clear consequences begin to rise. In my opinion, net neutrality is needed in order to allow free speech on the internet for all people.
When I try to imagine an online world in which a tweet that I post may be blocked from the world, a website that I may not be able to reach, or being required to pay more for a strong connection, it feels like something that is not far off. This topic is something that is not new to me, as it has been a huge discussion in many of my classes as an Information Science minor. I have felt passionate about studying the internet at a very young age, as I feel that it is something that is such a huge part of our lives. I think that the lack of net neutrality is impacting our daily freedoms online a little more each day, yet it is something that many people are not aware of.
According to a book titled Virtual Freedom: Net neutrality and Free Speech at the Internet Age by Dawn C. Nunziato, “Censorship by private broadband providers is growing. Most Internet users are unaware of the restrictions on speech imposed by their Internet service providers, and may be surprised to learn that such censorship does not violate the First Amendment or communications laws (as currently interpreted by the courts)” [1].This stuck out to me because I think that the more people realize the importance of net neutrality, the more knowledge they will have about its impact on our freedoms. One good example of spreading the word about this topic is Change.org’s promotion of an internet-wide Day of Action. I think that this creates an online community that helps the flight against our freedom of speech being taken away from us online.
At first I was still a bit confused about the details of what not having net neutrality online means. This example from Timothy Karr’s article titled “People of Color Need the Open Internet” for FreePress.net helped put it in perspective for me:”The open internet allows people of color to tell their own stories and organize for racial justice. When activists are able to turn out thousands of people in the streets at a moment’s notice, it’s because ISPs aren’t allowed to block their messages or websites. The open internet allows people of color and other vulnerable communities to bypass traditional media gatekeepers. Without Net Neutrality, ISPs could block speech and prevent dissident voices from speaking freely online. Without Net Neutrality, people of color would lose a vital platform” [2]. Today, social media has become such an important space for activism and change to spread across societies all around the world at a lightening fast speed that has never been achievable prior to the digital era. This clearly showed me the true impacts that net neutrality can have on our freedom of speech. Movements like #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo were fueled by the internet and social media platforms. This is a huge example of the negative implications that arise when net neutrality is not prioritized in current legislature.
Throughout my exploration of net neutrality I have realized that I have a lot to learn, and we all do. Often times when I share with others that I am an Informational Science minor they are confused as it is something that seems made up since they have never heard of it before. More and more I realize how lucky I am to have chosen a program that was just getting stated at my University. I feel that it is our job as users of the internet to not sit back and let it, or those who have created it, to control us. I am finding my studies of the internet, social media, and technology as a whole in relation to the spread of information more relevant every day. As Solana Larsen states in her article titled “Who Saved the Web” for the WebWeWant.org, “All this is to say there is hope for the Web. We need to rein in the bad behavior that threatens to hurt us and support the parts of the Web that are most important to us. For too many years, the Web was just something we used and not something we learned about in school. Everyone needs to understand that we have a civic duty to protect the Web and make it a better place” [3]. Prior to this I had not heard of the Web We Want Foundation or their work in promoting net neutrality for all. I think that Larsen’s argument was one that should be talked about more in the mainstream media. It is our job as users to understand the powers that the internet has over us in order to protect our rights and our privacy.
- Dawn C. Nunziato, Virtual Freedom: Net neutrality and Free Speech at the Internet Age (Stanford University Press, 2009), https://books.google.es/books?hl=en&lr=&id=S0UkDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT7&dq=net+neutrality+freedom+of+speech&ots=ZD9_JMaScO&sig=UM0xRMPLDEfRYLAvbKOMfd7pKps&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=true
- Timothy Karr, “People of Color Need the Open Internet: Racial-Justice Coalition Urges the FCC to Preserve Net Neutrality Under Title II” July 20, 2017, https://www.freepress.net/issues/free-open-internet/net-neutrality
- Solana Larsen, “Who Saved the Web?” August 14, 2016, https://webwewant.org/news/who-saved-the-web/
Nicole Danigelis 