Learn a little more... with a link!
- Infographic & Website Article: DOGOnews, The US FCC Repeals Net Neutrality | Get an explanation with pizza and what might happen next.
- Website Article: Wonderopolis, What is Net Neutrality | Read the facts and try some suggested activities.
- Video: dailymotion, CNET, What is Net Neutrality? Godzilla Helps Explain | Find out what Gozdilla & toy cars have to do with net neutrality.
Read the script:
AN EVEN BIGGER INTERNET DECISION WAS MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT WHILE WE WERE AWAY.
THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION IS IN CHARGE OF MAKING RULES ABOUT TELEVISION, RADIO, PHONES AND THE INTERNET.
OVER OUR BREAK, OFFICIALS OPTED TO END A POLICY KNOWN AS NET NEUTRALITY. THEIR REMOVAL OF THIS LAW HAS SOME PEOPLE CONCERNED THAT THEIR INTERNET MIGHT BECOME SLOWE R TO USE.
YOU SEE, NET NEUTRALITY MEANS COMPANIES THAT ARE IN CONTROL OF GETTING THE INTERNET TO YOUR HOME, OR SCHOOL, MUST PROVIDE THE SAME SPEED TO EVERY WEBSITE.
WITHOUT NET NEUTRALITY - SOME PEOPLE ARE AFRAID THAT THE COMPANIES WILL CHOSE FAVORITES WHEN IT COMES TO WEBSITES. THE COMPANIES MIGHT SLOW DOWN NETFLIX OR SPEED UP HULU FOR INSTANCE…. DEPENDING WHO THEY DO BUSINESS WITH.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE INTERNET COMPANIES THINK THAT WITHOUT NET NEUTRALITY, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO COMPETE WITH EACH OTHER BETTER – SO THEY’RE GLAD TO SEE IT GONE.
EITHER WAY, EXPERTS SAY IT WILL PROBABLY TAKE A WHILE BEFORE WE SEE CHANGES TO OUR WEB SURFING.
NATASHA CHEN: A REPUBLICAN-MAJORITY ON THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION VOTED TO REPEAL AN OBAMA-ERA RULE TODAY - THAT HAD SO FAR STOPPED INTERNET PROVIDERS FROM SPEEDING UP OR SLOWING DOWN SITES AT THEIR CHOOSING.
"THE CHAIR VOTES AYE, THE ITEM IS ADOPTED."
THEY ARGUED THAT REPEALING THIS RULE ALLOWS COMPANIES TO EXPAND AND INNOVATE.
BRENDAN CARR/FCC COMMISSIONER: "AFTER A TWO YEAR DETOUR, ONE THAT HAS SEEN INVESTMENT DECLINE, BROADBAND DEPLOYMENTS PUT ON HOLD, AND INNOVATIVE NEW OFFERINGS SHELVED, IT'S GREAT TO SEE THE FCC RETURNING TO THIS PROVEN REGULATORY APPROACH."
BUT OUTSIDE THE HEARING - PROTESTERS SAID THE PLAN JEOPARDIZES A FREE AND OPEN INTERNET.
RIGHT AWAY - DEMOCRATIC SENATOR ED MARKEY OF MASSACHUSETTS DRAFTED THIS RESOLUTION - IN ATTEMPTS TO STOP THE RULING FROM GOING INTO EFFECT.
UNDER THE CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW ACT, LEGISLATORS HAVE 60 DAYS AFTER A FEDERAL AGENCY RULES ON AN ISSUE - TO SUBMIT A RESOLUTION OF DISAPPROVAL.
MITCHELL BAKER/ MOZELLA CO-FOUNDER & CHARIWOMAN: "THESE RULES ALLOW A SMALL SET OF COMPANIES AND A SMALL SET OF INDIVIDUALS TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THE COMMUNICATIONS PLATFORMS FOR ALL OF US."
MITCHELL BAKER OF MOZILLA SAYS YOU MIGHT FIND A WEBSITE THAT'S SLOW TO LOAD - NOT BECAUSE OF YOUR CONNECTION - BUT BECAUSE THE PEOPLE WHO MADE THE SITE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY THE INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER FOR A PREMIUM EXPERIENCE.
MITCHELL BAKER/ MOZELLA CO-FOUNDER & CHARIWOMAN: "AND BY REMOVING THE REGULATIONS, IT MEANS JUST A VERY SMALL HANDFUL OF PEOPLE ADN THE BUSINESSES AND THE MOTIVES THAT MOTIVATE THEM ACTUALLY DETERMINE THE COMMUNICATIONS TAHT'S AVAILABLE TO ALL THE REST OF US."
IN WASHINGTON, I'M NATASHA CHEN, REPORTING.