ACLU Says Net Neutrality Necessary For Free Speech

eldavojohn writes "The ACLU has recently identified Network Neutrality a key free speech issue and said in a lengthy PDF report: 'Freedom of expression isn't worth much if the forums where people actually make use of it are not themselves free. And the Internet is without doubt the primary place where Americans exercise their right to free expression. It's a newspaper, an entertainment medium, a reference work, a therapist's office, a soapbox, a debating stand. It is the closest thing ever invented to a true "free market" of ideas.' The report then goes on to argue that ISPs have incentive and capability of interfering with internet traffic. And not only that but the argument that it is only 'theoretical' are bogus given they list ten high profile cases of it actually happening. If the ACLU can successfully argue that Net Neutrality is a First Amendment Issue then it might not matter what businesses (who fall on either side of the issue) want the government to do."

Comments

Re:Death by ACLU association.

[swb]

The ACLU only defends the parts of the constitution they like. They refused to recognize the individual right to keep and bear arms for a long time. I haven't checked their web site post-Heller, but it wouldn't surprise me if they still held this position.

I've long appreciated their position on freedom of speech and other civil liberties, but found their lack of support for the 2nd Amendment as an individual right a fairly troubling sign of partisanship.