Should the Federal Government Adopt Net Neutrality Rules?

2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION SITE

Last updated on: 2/18/2020 1:16:21 PM PST

In Jan. 2018, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to repeal net neutrality rules established under President Obama that required internet service providers to treat all internet traffic equally.

Proponents of net neutrality say it preserves free speech on the internet by preventing ISPs from blocking lawful online content. Opponents of net neutrality say that internet service should be free from unnecessary and heavy-handed government regulation.

For more information, visit "Should Net Neutrality Be Restored? - Top 3 Pros and Cons."

Sources:
Federal Communications Commission, "Restoring Internet Freedom," fcc.gov (accessed Feb. 18, 2020)
The White House, "Net Neutrality: President Obama's Plan for a Free and Open Internet," obamawhitehouse.archives.gov (accessed Feb. 18, 2020)

Pro

Hawkins

Con

Jorgensen

Trump

Not Clear or Not Found

Biden

Pro (Yes)

Pro

Hawkins
Green

"Restore strong Net Neutrality protections, the bedrock of digital civil rights and equality online. The United States needs Net Neutrality — the principle that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) should not be allowed to block, slow down, or discriminate against legal content. This requires the next FCC Chair and Commissioners to fully restore the 2015 Net Neutrality protections and legal framework, and the FCC’s ability to enforce those protections. The open Internet has been an incredible force for social and economic change. It has been used by Black Lives Matter to expose racist police violence, by Dreamers to advocate for their rights and by startup businesses and artists among others. Net neutrality is essential to prevent corporate interests from discriminating for profit and limiting what users can see or say online."

Source: Howie Hawkins, "Time for the Internet to Be Controlled by the Public, Not Corporate Interests," howiehawkins.us, Sep. 15, 2019

Con (No)

Con

Jorgensen
Libertarian

"No, the government shouldn’t micromanage the Internet, nor should it give advantages to corporate giants. State and federal governments give Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T billions of dollars in subsidies and advantages over their competition. This must end."

Source: Communication from the Jorgensen campaign to ProCon.org on Aug. 26, 2020

Con

Trump
Republican

"We just WON the big court case on Net Neutrality Rules [on Oct. 1, 2019 when a federal appeals court upheld the FCC repeal of net neutrality regulations]! A great win for the future and speed of the internet. Will lead to many big things including 5G. Congratulations to the FCC and its Chairman, Ajit Pai!"

Source: Donald Trump, Twitter.com, Oct. 7, 2019

None Found

Biden
Democrat

No position found as of Jan. 17, 2020.

ProCon/Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
325 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 200
Chicago, Illinois 60654 USA

Natalie Leppard
Managing Editor
procon@eb.com

Should the Federal Government Adopt Net Neutrality Rules?

Sources: Federal Communications Commission, "Restoring Internet Freedom," fcc.gov (accessed Feb. 18, 2020) The White House, "Net Neutrality: President Obama's Plan for a Free and Open Internet," obamawhitehouse.archives.gov (accessed Feb. 18, 2020)

Sources:
Federal Communications Commission, "Restoring Internet Freedom," fcc.gov (accessed Feb. 18, 2020)
The White House, "Net Neutrality: President Obama's Plan for a Free and Open Internet," obamawhitehouse.archives.gov (accessed Feb. 18, 2020)