Not so Fast on Network Neutrality

NOT SO FAST ON NETWORK NEUTRALITY
[SOURCE: The Oregonian (Portland), AUTHOR: Editorial Staff]
[Commentary] Net neutrality -- the idea that everybody should be equal in cyberspace -- has gained momentum as a populist movement but seems no closer to becoming law. Part of the problem with the discussion of net neutrality is that beyond broad statements of principles, people disagree about what it is. For example, few would disagree that the Internet should be free of discrimination, that a user should have as unfettered access to a suburban teen's fan site as he does to Disney.com. The disagreements come in writing laws to preserve those principles. The problem with Congress dictating the Internet's myriad legal contracts, technological underpinnings and business behaviors is that Congress simply isn't wise enough or prescient enough to make the right choices. More important, Congress could unwittingly interfere with the development of a more robust Internet, capable of delivering more multimedia, faster, in two directions. In addition, it would hand more enforcement powers to the Federal Communications Commission, a step that itself may have unwelcome, anti-democratic consequences. For these reasons, Congress should not overreach with its efforts to enshrine the principle of net neutrality. Congress should borrow the first principle of the medical profession: First, do no harm. Bad law, in this case, could be much worse than no law. And it's not entirely clear yet what a good law would look like.
http://www.oregonlive.com/editorials/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/114746551946890.xml&coll=7

See also --
* Telecom network: Web of confusion
"If America is entering the era of Internet regulation, it would be advisable if Congress erred on the side of competition and passed 'network neutrality.'"
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/opinions/3_4_EL15_EDITTELECOM_S1.htm