Airwaves & Liberty

Yesterday, Thursday, April 17, all five FCC commissioners held public hearings on the future of the internet at Stanford University. Specifically, they were considering “net neutrality” and rules governing high-speed Internet networks.

RAW AUDIO
KPFA’s Eric Klein was at the hearing and has uploaded audio from the event to Audioport.org. If you are a producer at a Pacifica station or affiliate, feel free to use this in your newscasts or public affairs programs.

HIGHLIGHTS PROGRAM
Klein will be editing highlights from the FCC hearing into a one-hour broadcast, hosted by KPFA’s Kris Welch today at 12n Pacific / 3pm Eastern. This highlights program will be uploaded to Audioport by approximately 5pm EDT / 2pm PDT on Friday afternoon.

If you’re not at a Pacifica station, you can still hear the audio by visiting KPFA’s archvies. Go to the “Living Room” archive page and click on the link for April 18th.

ABOUT THE ISSUE
Net neutrality is the idea that internet providers should treat content equally –offering equal access and download speeds regardless of the size or source of the content.

In recent years, some internet providers have pushed to restrict customers’ internet traffic, creating “express lanes” reserved for the network owners’ content and services. Comcast and other telecommunications providers have come under fire in recent months for their efforts to limit or disrupt “peer-to-peer” file sharing.

Supporters of a government-enforceable neutrality rule say that such a regulation would ensure that internet providers cannot become gatekeepers over content.

The Free Press site SaveTheInternet.com has more information about net neutrality.

~Nathan