The Technology Liberation Front - Latest Comments in Yale / CFP’s “9.5 Theses for Technology Policy in the Next Administration”

Re: Yale / CFP’s “9.5 Theses for Technology Policy in the Next Administration”

Luis — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:48:28 -0000

I guess I'm failing to see the significant speech problems in the modern internet, Adam- care to elaborate? Do you mean the kinds of problems Open Net Initiative has been working on, or something else? I strongly agree with you that free speech should be a core value for the internet, but at least inside the US, the internet seems to be clearly the most vibrant and free platform for speech that there is, with no significant threats to it that I'm aware of, which maybe is why it fell off this particular list.

[I'll grant for the moment that network neutrality is not a speech issue; I'm sort of skeptical about comparisons between NN and the Fairness Doctrine but it isn't an interesting discussion to have for the nth time right now.]

Re: Yale / CFP’s “9.5 Theses for Technology Policy in the Next Administration”

eee_eff — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:44:44 -0000

In other words, we can put government in charge of dictating fairness online and then trust they will only do what’s best. I mean, they would never think about trying to censor online speech, or anything like that.

I would never advocate giving any government the right to censor speech.

How exactly could net neutrality enforcement lead to the government getting the power to censor speech?

Re: Yale / CFP’s “9.5 Theses for Technology Policy in the Next Administration”

eee_eff — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:42:23 -0000

The fairness doctrine had it's time and place; it made sense in the social and technological landscape in which it existed; it has however outlived it's usefulness.

I have posted many examples of the freedom of the press being harmed by lack of net neutrality:

http://enigmafoundry.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/w...

http://enigmafoundry.wordpress.com/2008/03/05/w...

Re: Yale / CFP’s “9.5 Theses for Technology Policy in the Next Administration”

Adam_Thierer — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:29:51 -0000

Just like the Fairness Doctrine was the key to maintaining free speech on broadcast networks, right Enigma? In other words, we can put government in charge of dictating fairness online and then trust they will only do what's best. I mean, they would never think about trying to censor online speech, or anything like that.

Re: Yale / CFP’s “9.5 Theses for Technology Policy in the Next Administration”

eee_eff — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:24:11 -0000

Adam:

When you say

What I found intriguing about the list is that (a) protecting free speech doesn’t make their radar screen,

I would note the below item::

3. Network Neutrality. Legislate against unreasonable discrimination by network providers against particular applications or content to maintain the Internet’s role in fostering innovation, economic growth, and democratic communication. [= MORE REGULATION]

Network neutrality is key to maintaining the freedom of speech on the internet; that's what it is all about.