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:Not again.

[ScentCone]

It is entirely obvious this is a civil rights issue. Not one of race or gender or age, but one of every persons right to expression without oppression from the corporatations obsessetion to controlling this country.

So, just to clarify, here. If I form a publishing company in order to print a newsletter that I will distribute in my neighborhood, I must allow anyone who wants me to print their own communication - no matter what I think of it - to tell me how I should use the pages of my publication? And I must allow, as I walk around the neighborhood dropping off my newsletter, anyone who demands that I also distribute their publication? And if my company starts into the business of delivering one person's publications, I therefore have to deliver anything that anyone else insists that I deliver? This is your take on what the first amendment is about? This is what you think "civil rights" is about - the ability of one person to force another person to do something?

Re:Death by ACLU association.

[operagost]

I often find it ironic how conservative talking heads bash the ACLU as defending "commies and left wing nuts", but when *they* want free expression they're happy to get the ACLU involved to help.

No, they're not. While the ACLU will occasionally defend "conservative" causes, they'll well known for making up their own ideas for what constitute rights. Apparently, you have a right to force a Catholic hospital to perform abortions, for example. It's a little funny, because I thought that the basis of natural rights was that you could do what you want as long as it didn't infringe on someone else's rights. In the ACLU reality, if you're a professional, you apparently don't have a right to refuse to participate in actions you consider unethical.