Group Fears Net Neutrality Could Impact News On Internet

The FCC’s controversial net neutrality proposal could endanger the way Americans receive their news, according to Lauren Wilson, the policy counsel the nonprofit Free Press, according to Talk Radio News Service.

“It’s the first amendment issue of our time – no journalist should be subject to the commercial or political whims of an Internet service provider,” Wilson said during a briefing at the National Press Club.

Verizon, for example, Wilson said, could strike a deal with CNN and hinder subscribers to get access of alternative news sources.

ISP’s will be able to create fast lanes for themselves, and that would automatically create slow lanes for the sites who can’t afford it.

“A study by Microsoft has shown that People visit a website less often if it’s slower than a rival site by a blink of an eye,” said Wilson. “The absence of net neutrality means that ISPs will have the power to silence anyone who cannot or will not pay it’s tolls.”

Last month, the Federal Communications Commission published a notification that they may pursue rules that could allow providers to prioritize traffic. There is a currently a period of public input.