Democracy Wire

Everyone's talking about net neutrality this week, so we thought we'd take a look back to the hilarious send-up John Oliver did of the issue last summer. He explains what's going on, tells us what's at stake, and urges hordes of internet commenters to direct their outrage towards the FCC's public comment process.

By now you have probably heard of “net neutrality.” Net neutrality, which would guarantee everyone equal access to the open internet, is a policy the Federal Communications Commission is currently considering and is supported by 81% of Americans, including a majority of Republicans.

Those of us fighting for a free and open Internet got some good news this morning. President Obama just reiterated his strong stance on net neutrality, and asked FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler to reclassify broadband internet as a telecommunications service.

Remarks by Michael Copps at "Fighting Bob Fest"

The Internet is the cornerstone of 21st century democracy - it's how we learn about and debate the issues of the day. It's how we organize to make change. If the FCC surrenders on the core Open Internet principles, that would allow Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to create fast lanes for the deep pocketed few and stifle our ability to connect and communicate online.

Municipal broadband is the radical idea that consumers should have choice – and big corporate ISPs will stop at nothing to kill it.