The Fight for Net Neutrality

Odds are that the most important media issue that you’re not paying attention to is net neutrality.  This topic is getting a little play in the media, but although it may seem like an arcane technical issue, the outcome of the debate will have profound implications for the future of online media.   The concept of net neutrality is that Internet Service Providers should not be allowed to discriminate against particular content or applications.  In other words, ISPs should not be allowed to set up a tiered structure for content, blocking sites of their competitors or other content providers that they deem to be using excessive amount of bandwidth.

The issue pits content creators and consumer groups on one side and ISPs on the other.  Recently, the FCC stepped in and announced its support for the concept of net neutrality.  The FCC’s proposed new rules would do two things:

1. Prevent Internet access providers from discriminating against particular Internet content or applications, while allowing for "reasonable" network management.
2. Require ISPs to be "transparent" about their network management practices.