The for the last 15 years the FCC has been hit with heavy criticism about it's dealing with censorship because many felt that was not what the FCC was created for. But the FCC has a chance to redeem its public image by starting to enforce net neutrality by witch is absolutely one reason the FCC was really started for, control media pipelines in favor of the public good.
So the FCC is now trying to pass a bill that will help support net neutrality. Some of the main points in this bill is that internet providers can't favor their own content and providers can't limit access to lawful content.
Right now it seems all this net neutrality is all about if just watching Netflix and downloading everything off the internet. But really it has a greater implications. If we do not keep the internet an open network then we run the risk of losing the ability of have a free press and could infringe on first amendment rights. This is exactly what China does. When you go on the internet in China you are not on the same internet that the rest of the world gets. You are on a Chinese internet that is tightly controlled and cannot get access with sites that the government does not agree with wether it be politically or financially.
Right now all the cable companies are trying to do is slow down Skype, Netflix, iTunes and other internet media. But if those same ISPs decide that they do not want to support the New York Times or CNN in favor of there own companies it would be a violation of the first amendment. It would be as if the phone companies charged you double to call people they did not like.
So even if you do not fully understand what net neutrality is, just remember it comes down to protecting free speech and free press.
Even if cable companies try to slow do Skype, Netflix, and iTunes, there probably have little impact to do the popularity of this sites. If the FCC does enforce net neutrality, other aspects will come under fire.
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