Top important issue: Net neutrality is “internet freedom” and it should be secured

What is “NET NEUTRALITY”?

Net Neutrality is the internet’s guiding principle: It preserves our right to communicate freely online. Net Neutrality means an internet that enables and protects free speech. It means that ISPs should provide us with open networks — and shouldn’t block or discriminate against any applications or content that ride over those networks. Just as your phone company shouldn’t decide who you call and what you say on that call, your ISP shouldn’t interfere with the content you view or post online.

When you go online you have certain expectations. You expect to be connected to whatever website you want. You expect that your cable or phone company isn’t messing with the data and is connecting you to all websites, applications and content you choose. You expect to be in control of your internet experience.

When you use the internet you expect Net Neutrality.

Net Neutrality is the basic principle that prohibits internet service providers like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon from speeding up, slowing down or blocking any content, applications or websites you want to use. Net Neutrality is the way that the internet has always worked.

In 2015, millions of activists pressured the Federal Communications Commission to adopt historic Net Neutrality rules that keep the internet free and open — allowing people to share and access information of their choosing without interference.

But right now the internet is in peril. On Dec. 14, 2017, the FCC’s Republican majority approved Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to gut the Net Neutrality protections.

The dominating powers in the world have once again put their signature on an issue against the “common” benefit of the peoples of the world – to be surely for their own benefit, though. This time the issue had to with the internet that is supposed to serve billions in an equal and fair manner. However, it is very doubtful if the above statement would count anymore as the “NET NEUTRALITY” is now more than ever open to the threat of being destroyed.

As expected, the FCC voted on Dec 14, 2017 to roll back net neutrality protections, a fateful decision that will shape the future of the internet. The vote passed the five-commissioner agency on a 3-2 party-line vote. But the two commissioners who dissented — Democrats Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel, who helped pass net neutrality rules in 2015 — used their opportunity before the vote to deliver statements sharply critical of the FCC’s proposal.

Calling the repeal vote an abdication of responsibility, the statements from Clyburn and Rosenworcel also took aim at the process itself. As Clyburn accused the agency of failing to listen to Americans’ concerns, Rosenworcel went so far as to call the entire process “corrupted.” Both commissioners have also released the text of their statements in full.

STATEMENT OF THE EDITOR: We thank these two brave women for having stood up against this very wrong step that we consider to be against equality between humans and companies. We extend our gratitude to such people (and women, in specific) who help to keep our hopes for the future of human kind.