Net neutrality allows all internet content and sites to be treated equally by internet service providers (ISPs). Without net neutrality, ISPs that control 98% of broadband access in the US could create fast lanes for certain content providers and slow lanes for others. This would affect small sites, bloggers, and non-mainstream content the most. It could also lead to higher costs for consumers and the formation of media monopolies on the internet similar to what occurred in the cable industry. As all media shifts online, decisions around net neutrality will have major implications for the future of the internet.

1. Net Neutrality: When
We Were Blinded!

3. Advancements of Net
Neutrality
Artists • Bloggers and others
• Justin Bieber- in the art of
YouTube Citizen Journalism
• Taylor Swift- have the ability to
MySpace make a living.
Meme Stars • iTunes was
created and is
• Soulja Boy now the biggest
media
consumption
Site in the
world.

4.  “…ISP’s want to
ISP’s control 98% of offer Internet
broadband content providers
access in the US faster, premium
delivery of content
 AT&T
and services to
 Verizon end user
 Comcast customers and to
 Time Warner charge the content
providers superior
 Qwest
transmission.”
–Internet Policy and
John Stewart Economics

6. What does the future hold?
 This is
 “We have said categorically that very
we do not intend to be similar to
enforcement agent or a what the
policeman for content cable
industry
transported to out network. said years
We… have not said we are going ago.
to filter, and there is no
technology solution available at • Any source of media
this time” ran on cable
television is filtered
-Claudia Jones
and selected by the
companies.

7. WHO WILL BE AFFECTED?
On the Internet
 Small Sites
 Non-Mainstream
Band iTunes
 Bloggers  ISP’s will create
 Small Businesses their own form of
iTunes
 iTunes will remain
on the slow pipe
 Costs for music will
go up due to the
“gatekeepers”

8. WHAT TO CONSIDER

9.  With the shift of all
media going to the
Internet, Pandora
What to Consider
and HuLu, will a
monopoly form?  Prices will surely
 Will consumers be rise dramatically
able to choose a because the internet
better price for is the only source.
media?  Similar to gas prices
in 2006!
 Unfortunately, the
government supports
eliminating neutrality.

10.  New York Times
 Savetheinternet.com
 MacWorld
 Campbell, Richard, Christopher R. Martin, and
Bettina Fabos. Media & Culture: an Introduction to
Mass Communication.
 Lehr, William, and Lorenzo M. Pupillo. Internet
Policy and Economics: Challenges and Perspectives.
 Nunziato, Dawn C. Virtual Freedom: Net
Neutrality and Free Speech in the Internet Age.
Sources