What is Net Neutrality?
It is accessing the internet for free after initial costs and not having companies and carriers obstruct content you are allowed to see. Free Press describes it as “our right to freely communicate.”
Why is it in the news?
The Federal Communications Commission Chairman, Ajit Pai, proposed a plan that would get rid of Net Neutrality. He believes we should get rid of it because it prevents innovation and competition. The proposal will be voted on by the FCC on December 14.
How does this affect me?
If this proposal is passed it will affect how we use the internet. Depending on your internet provider, some websites may take long to load or even be blocked from you viewing them at all. The internet becomes controlled by these larger companies and isn’t as accessible and controlled by citizens as it currently is.
How does it affect others?
Some websites would ask for you to pay to view them, depending on your internet provider. This could prevent those in lower class communities to not have as much access to the same information as their wealthier peers which would hence limit their opportunities. Similarly, the free internet with a constant sharing of ideas would be gone which could limit the amount of social justice stories we hear from those in subordinate identities, especially on a moments notice. With thanks to various websites, such as Twitter, stories and acts of injustice can be reported on immediately by those at the scene. With no net neutrality, this could change.
What can I do?
Send Ajit Pai a message using this: http://act.freepress.net/sign/internet_wake_up_destroy/
Tell Congress how you feel by using this:
http://act.freepress.net/call/internet_nn_call_congress/
Find a protest at a Verizon store near you by using this:
Where can I get more information?
John Oliver has a very informational and entertaining explanation of this concept.
Save the Internet has a bunch of information and resources:
https://www.savetheinternet.com/net-neutrality-what-you-need-know-now