Yesterday was full of information to feed the ongoing net neutrality discussion. Press and policy advocates from all sides of the issue arrived at the National Press Club to watch Public Knowledge’s Gigi Sohn debate CTIA’s Chris Guttman-McCabe. CNet reporter Marguerite Reardon moderated the discussion and kicked things off by asking both participants to discuss issues the parties can agree on. Responses included transparency/disclosure, case-by-case enforcement and protecting consumers’ interests.
The debate heated up as the parties shared their divergent views on the all-important definition of “reasonable.” As a standard for network management, the precise meaning of the term is quite elusive, especially when left to regulatory interpretation. To avoid unintended consequences to our flourishing Internet (another fact the parties agreed on), Guttman-McCabe favored using antitrust law and case-by-case resolutions rather than blanket new regulations.
The dialogue continued yesterday afternoon with an FCC Workshop on Speech, Democratic Engagement and the Open Internet. Instead of the traditional policy advocates and data experts, the FCC assembled a diverse panel of Internet users to share their stories of exceptional public reach and professional growth through the power of the Internet. The opening remarks from FCC Commissioners served as a microcosm of the debate at large, with differing views of the approach the FCC should take to maintain an open Internet. Testimony also was presented by:
- Michele Combs, Christian Coalition
- Glenn Reynolds, Instapundit
- Jonathan Moore, Rowdy Orbit
- Ruth Livier, YLSE
- Garlin Gilchrist, Center for Community Change
- Bob Corn-Revere, Davis Wright Tremaine
- Jack Balkin, Yale Law School
- Andrew Schwartzman, Media Access Project
Bob Corn-Revere, a lawyer who specializes in the 1st amendment, was the strongest advocate against regulations. He believes there are two competing risks – 1) adverse actions by companies and 2) adverse actions by government. In the end, he concluded, the greater risk is from government intervention.
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