Originally published March 5, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified June 30, 2008 at 2:20 PM
The Democracy Papers
Internet in jeopardy as neutrality erodes
The Internet is a major artery through which new ideas and creativity flows. This conduit for Americans' innovative abilities is in jeopardy. The Internet has developed into a clean canvas for all to play on and create.
The Democracy Papers is a series of articles, essays and editorial opinion examining threats to our freedoms of speech. Technology has created space for more voices, yet fewer and fewer are heard.
The American press and media are being decimated by consolidation. This transformation from many owners into five or six large corporations and the lessening of small outlets for radio, newspapers, magazines and music are chilling a once robust marketplace of ideas. What should Americans do? This series explores the arguments and the backlash.
Democracy Papers online archive:
www.seattletimes/thedemocracypapers
Daily Democracy, the Democracy Papers blog: blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/dailydemocracy.
The Internet is a major artery through which new ideas and creativity flows. This conduit for Americans' innovative abilities is in jeopardy.
The Internet has developed into a clean canvas for all to play on and create. The cable and telecommunication companies that dominate broadband in the United States are fighting any network-neutrality law that would ensure the Internet stays this way.Consumer groups, and many Internet users, are worried that network providers want to disrupt competing services or content. There are a number of recent examples of this happening. The most high profile being AT&T censoring comments critical of President Bush by Pearl Jam during a concert shown over the telecom's network.
The issue moves beyond censorship. There is well-founded fear that network providers want to degrade content, or charge companies more to use their networks. Inevitably, an extra charge to a company gets passed on to the consumer.
The Federal Communications Commission, the regulatory agency responsible for broadband and telecommunications, is taking an interest in net neutrality. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said at a hearing last week at Harvard University the commission will act if network providers meddle with the Internet.
The hearing was in response to complaints that Comcast blocked use of BitTorrent, a file-sharing program. The abuse was revealed by The Associated Press.
FCC Commissioner Michael Copps wants more hearings. The chairman should agree. It will be harder for Comcast, and other network providers, to bend the Internet to their will if the FCC is watching, and getting input from the consuming public.
Lawmakers need not wait for the FCC to act. Reps. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Chip Pickering, R-Miss., have introduced the Internet Preservation Freedom Act of 2008. In addition to creating a net-errneutrality law, the bill would require a series of summits about the future of Internet policy.
The Internet has become a cornerstone for American ingenuity. Congress and the FCC can see to it that the United States remains competitive with an outlet for our best minds.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Leonard Pitts Jr. / Syndicated columnist: New York terror trials will restore faith in rule of law
Charles Krauthammer / Syndicated columnist: New York trial a propaganda coup for terrrorists

New Beginnings Christian Fellowship
Coming in this Sunday's Pacific Northwest Magazine: Pastor Braxton's mission is to preach a message that appeals to everyone.
general classifieds
Garage & estate salesFurniture & home furnishings
Sporting goods
just listed
ATV POLARIS TRAILBLAZER - $1800
Aynsley Henley China - $80
BALDWIN FUN MACHINE - $100
More listings
POST A FREE LISTING
shopping
events for Tuesday, Nov. 24
- Hometown Holiday at Carmilia's
- Anniversary Sale at Veridis Clothier
- Black Friday Sale at Julep
- Birth and Beyond Baby Closing Sale
editors' picks
More shopping guides- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Sprouts, raw fish on attorney's 'do not eat' list
- Jerry Brewer | Jerry Brewer: Seahawks can't lean on the Hutch Crutch now
- Woman stabbed by stranger in North Seattle
- Tattoos at Mill Creek church pierce skin, soul
- UW, WSU once again meet to see who's worse
- Food-safety lawyer's wish: Put me out of business
- Husky Football Blog | Ranking the Pac
- Vikings easily beat the Seahawks
- Tugboat sinks at Seattle waterfront pier
- Illegal workers quietly let go
436 - Bellevue residents blast new bikini espresso stand
244 - Jose Lopez appears to be on his way out
191 - Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan
185 - Next Seahawks GM should be Mike Holmgren
138 - Washington State coach Paul Wulff says he's excited about Cougars' future
135 - Some fans at Fort Bragg see themselves in Sarah Palin
78 - Hate crimes against gays, religious groups up, FBI says
70 - Civil-rights suit against officer, city settled for $87,500
53 - Monday practice report
53
- Sprouts, raw fish on attorney's 'do not eat' list
- Tattoos at Mill Creek church pierce skin, soul
- Food-safety lawyer's wish: Put me out of business
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Architects, chefs find 'kid' within to build Gingerbread Village
- Nicole Brodeur | Homeless woman bent on giving
- Portland cafe's specialty: medical-marijuana tokes
- Hutch gets $10M from Bezos family for immunotherapy research
- Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan
- Rediscovering Moab, 'the most beautiful place on Earth'


