Should the FCC Mandate “Net Neutrality” and Regulate Internet Fair Play?

The government may step in to prevent traffic-speed shenanigans.

By U.S. News Staff

November 20, 2009 RSS Feed Print

Service providers can intentionally impede Internet traffic—selling fast service to favored sites and slowing or blocking others. "Net neutrality" backers say that's wrong, citing free speech and commerce. Others say the government has no business meddling in the Internet market. They argue that rules would be a dangerous overreaction to a phenomenon that doesn't exist and that such regulations would stifle investment. What do you think? Should the FCC decide what constitutes fair play on the Web? Take our poll and post your thoughts below. And don't forget to check out the debate between Barbara Esbin of the Progress and Freedom Foundation and Andrew Jay Schwartzman of the Media Access Project in the latest issue of U.S. News Weekly.

Should the Government Adopt Rules on Web Fair Play?



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Previously: Will President Hamid Karzai Bring Good Governance to Afghanistan?

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The Internet provides so many economic and quality of life benefits, and we can only imagine what is on the horizon. Given that consumers already enjoy a free and open Internet today in the absence of new government regulations, greater government involvement in the day-to-day operations of the Internet will only stifle the robust investment and innovation that is creating jobs and moving our economy forward. Let’s let the current pro-growth environment continue and not risk the future of Internet innovation and economic progress at this pivotal time.

Tom Amontree of DC 2:15PM November 23, 2009

The Constitution and the Bill of Rights were written on one piece of paper. It is well known that it works and has for over two-hundred plus years. To regulate things we write legislation now with thousands of pages. That is not being simple that is being STUPID! The government doesn't get things right or produce one single to service but to enslave if you let it. Time to kick this BIG government incumbent crowd out. It's time to return to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness without Gov. interference

Jeff of WI 2:03PM November 23, 2009

Don't care what bias USNews has. By definition all corporations are are entities which try to control their markets. They have to show profits every quarter or get punished by the 'free' market. Regulation will interfere with this. Thus they don't want it. Current regulation is antiquated,,primitive, and futile and so is current enforcement. Don;t care how ineffective you think the government is, I like social security and medicare. They are some of the most successful ideas yet invented. Millions of people get their checks on time every month. And don't forget the military. Mission accomplished.

The only protection an individual has against the predatory corporations(by definition all corporations)is something equally large such as the US government Any individual who believes any company has your best interest at heart is an idiot. Any person who believes we will ever know how any company is screwing us is probably a litigation lawyer. All companies lie. All companies hide what they are doing. All companies will take whatever shortcuts necessary to make a profit. All companies will screw their customers and lie if caught. It's the American Way. Especially companies that go around saying stupid things like 'Quality is Job 1.'. More like 'Quality is Lie 1'

Only the government is big enough to protect the American people. It's about time we remembered what it's there for.

Ann L Deltuy of MA 6:33PM November 21, 2009

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