"Constructing The Net: How Cable News Coverage Articulates Meaning For The Net Neutrality
Debate." Conference Papers -- International Communication Association (2012): 1-
32. Communication & Mass Media Complete. Web. 19 Sept. 2014.
This conference paper was published by the International Communications Association in 2012 as a synopsis of the current approach mass media is taking in regards to net neutrality. The purpose of this article is a proposal that illustrates how the average citizen consumes and interprets media. The particular point that is examined by this paper is one in which the layman is exposed to a majority of news coverage from cable or corporate news sources. As the line between corporate control and objective media becomes increasingly blurry the fight for control over independent outlets of information is becoming strained. The lack of substantial coverage over the net neutrality debate is interpreted by the authors as a conscious effort to obfuscate the issues surrounding the subject. This results in an undereducated populace with respect to net neutrality. The driving force behind this ideology is that an ill-informed consumer will inevitably give way to corporate control over the vital resource of internet service.
This article is written with respect to the community of journalists and media outlets worldwide. The purpose of this paper is to expose the potential for controlling interests to overtake reasonable dissemination of information as a means to generate a particular sociological effect. In abstract, major news networks are attempting to restrain the flow of information as a means of producing an end result in their favor. The ultimate goal being an internet where access is divided amongst major cable providers instead of being free and open. The context of this article is important because it is representative of the realization by journalists that there is the potential to lose objectivity and free press, a key component to a functional representative democracy.
The author is a collective of journalist experts and media representatives that are generating a narrative which promotes awareness of the issues surrounding net neutrality. They examine the potential for societal impact as well as the possibility for a future without an open internet, this results in the conclusion that it will be a net negative effect on media in general. The author is credible because they are engaged in a process of self-examination in an effort to raise awareness of a relatively unknown issue.
This piece is relevant to my research because it lays the groundwork for my argument against the merging of major media providers due t the fact that they are already actively campaigning against net neutrality through the use of the services they currently provide. This evidence becomes increasingly disturbing when it is apparent that if these companies are granted even more control over internet resources they will ultimately be able to control the internet as a whole.
Gilroy, Angele A. "Access To Broadband Networks: The Net Neutrality Debate." Journal Of Current Issues In Media & Telecommunications 5.4 (2013): 331-351. Communication & Mass Media Complete. Web. 19 Sept. 2014. Angele Gilroy illustrates the connections between government and media and how they correlate to the potential for a reduced access to the internet. This paper was published in the journal of current issues in media and telecommunications in 2013. This is a relevant piece that outlines the lobbying forces responsible for the attempt to take over the internet by major media providers. The overall tone of this paper portrays the single most important factor in the fight over net neutrality, government regulation of media resources. Although government regulation is not necessarily the best solution to this issue it is apparent that it will serve as an appropriate intermediary until the majority of society becomes aware of the importance of an independent and open internet. The article also touches on the legislation that has led up to the current state of affairs in regards to net neutrality. The focus is particularly trained on a major internet service provider known as Comcast. The author examines the various business practices of Comcast and how they violated FCC statutes. This is relevant because they are slated to merge with another mass communications internet provider Time Warner Cable.
The purpose of this article is to show the divide between the average consumer and major telecommunications companies. The unfortunate truth is that the line dividing these two opposing forces is the legislative branch. This paper depicts a David vs. Goliath scenario in which the well-funded lobbying interests of these corporate entities have direct access to congressional leaders and thus are able to mold the legal landscape in their favor. The paper also shows the various business practices in regards to how consumers of bandwidth and data are charged for said usage. Overall the corporations are predominately concerned with bandwidth consumption, but as new technology is developed that consumes more bandwidth these companies contend that they should be able to control the ability to access bandwidth. This will lead to an environment in which innovation is stifled and corporate control of a public utility will allow these corporations to legitimately influence public access to media, thus shaping public opinion. The author of this article is credible because of her contributions to her particular field of study. Her paper is also thoroughly researched and backed by hard facts. The sources she uses are all in the public domain and typically revolve around governmental rulings on the subject of net neutrality. This article is relevant because it shows how Government regulation is crucial to maintaining a neutral and independent internet. This is important, because the only other alternative would be one in which the service providers are free to dictate the terms of their distribution.
Gross, Doug. "FCC Approves Controversial 'net Neutrality' Rules - CNN." CNN.com. Cable News Network, 21 Dec. 2010. Web. 19 Sept. 2014. Doug Gross is a journalist for CNN. He has a moral obligation to objectively report the news. This is an interesting pices because he is representative of a major meida outlet that would be directly affected by legislation that would alter net neutrality. This is important because it illustrates the dichotomy of how some news outlets are beholden to the legislative branch for their very existence. If the service providers were in control of the internet they would be able to decide who the winners and loser of the media are. This is a crucial point because this will grant immense power to the service providers over access to information. Ultimately this article shows how the FCC is trying to independently regulate the internet without stiffer congressional legislation. This is imperative because until Congress takes a particular stance then the rules regarding net neutrality will continually fluctuate.
This article shows how the FCC is not the influential decision making authority required to resolve this issue. Their fast and loose regulation of the industry could ultimately result in cumbersome Supreme Court rulings that would ultimately hamper Congressional ability to effectively legislate this matter. Due to the system of checks and balances our government is found upon Congress hands would be effectively tied if this issue went to the Supreme Court.
The author is credible because of his moral obligation to objectively report the news. He also has skin in the game on both sides of the aisle with regards to this argument. This is important because it further incentivizes him to report in an objective manner.
This article is important and relevant to my research because it shows how the current state of legislation is in a deadlock resulting in an attempt at non legislative solutions to this problem. This will ultimately result in a prolonged battle over net neutrality which is not an adequate means of solving the problem at hand.
Guo, Hong, et al. "Net Neutrality And Vertical Integration Of Content And Broadband Services." Journal Of Management Information Systems 27.2 (2010): 243-275. Business Source Complete. Web. 19 Sept. 2014.
This article was written by Hong Guo. She has a PhD in information technology and software engineering. This paper provides an in depth analysis of the market structure in regards to internet service providers and how the future merge of Comcast and Time Warner Cable could result in a vertically integrated monopolistic model. This is important because there is a consistent trend towards monopoly in this market and the ramifications of said monopoly are similar to historical monopolies such as Standard Oil and US Steel in the early 20 th century. This article provides insight on the issue of net neutrality and discusses how a vertically integrated ISP system would function without net neutrality. Using Game theory the author is able to devise a logic system which shows how the monopoly will inevitably control the market in a net effort to maximize profit. The interesting conclusion is that there is a majority potential for a net negative effect on social welfare if the ISP is allowed to vertically integrate.
This paper offers an insightful and credible stance in regards to the economic and technological impact of violating net neutrality. The authors are all independent researchers that are experts in their fields of study, many of them possess PhDs in their field.
This information will be used in my paper as a means of showing how the potential monopoly between Time Warner Cable and Comcast would result in a net negative effect on social welfare.
Lenard, Thomas M., and Randolph J. May, eds. NET NEUTRALITY OR NET NEUTERING: SHOULD BROADBAND INTERNET SERVICES BE REGULATED. New York: Springer Science-I-Business Media, LLC, 2006. SpringerLink. 13 Sept. 2006. Web. 19 Sept. 2014.
This book was written by Thomas Lenard and Randolph May. They both possess PhDs in economics. Lenard posits that Net Neutrality has legitimate pros and cons which are underlined by the business practices of the ISPs. He also shows how the internet is regulated under the type of service provided (i.e: DSL, Broadband, Fiber, etc.) This is important because he provides an opposing viewpoint that argues how net neutrality is a moot point considering that ISPs will be incentivized to efficiently provide access to the best content on the internet thus increasing the competitive nature of the internet.
Lenard and May are both quality researchers who provide evidence that a non-neutral internet is actually a good thing. This is contradictory to my particular stance on the subject, but it does provide a consistent analysis of the opposition and as a result allows insightful conclusions in regards to the opposing viewpoints.
I would argue that this piece is adequately representative of the arguments against net neutrality. It is crucial to examine the elements of the ISPs in order to understand the scope and breadth of this argument. I contend that the authors are too heavily focused on the economics of the policy, rather than the potentially negative impact that destroying net neutrality would have on society as a whole.
The piece is relevant because it shows how ISPs are dependent on bandwidth as a primary consideration for content delivery over their particular service medium. This is a question of which is more important: the provision of content or the provision of service. This article serves to answer the question I pose as to the relevance of ISPs in regards to how the content they provide is ultimately tied to the cost of individual services.
"Net Neutrality." New York Times. 6 May 2010. Web. 19 Sept. 2014. This article was written by the editorial board of the New York Times in May of 2014. This is a snapshot of the current legislative policies that are being put in place by the FCC in an effort to find a happy median of resolution between the opposing sides of this debate. The editors of this paper are morally obligated to report the news objectively.
The purpose of this article to show how the various FCC rulings are attempting to provide consumer protection while taking into account the concerns of corporate interests.
The authors are independent critics and reporters on the subject matter. They are credible because of their journalistic principle that govern their career field.
This article is relevant because it shows the legitimate need for legislation and regulation of this particular industry.
Owen, Bruce M. The Net Neutrality Debate: Twenty Five Years After United States v. AT&T and 120 Years After the Act to Regulate Commerc. Stanford Law and Economics Olin Working Paper No. 336; AEI-Brookings Joint Center Working Paper, Vol. 7, No. 3, 2007. Stanford, 31 July 2007. Web. 19 Sept. 2014.
Bruce Owen is a Stanford economic policy institute researcher. This article represents the varying rulings for and against mass media conglomerates and how the major corporate interests are attempting to justify their current business practices. The various Telecommunications companies argue that the internet is a medium of content provision, but their service is a direct subsidiary of the highly regulated telephony industry. It is important that this distinction is made because it shows how the two industries compete in regards to regulation. One industry is largely unregulated with a distinct trend towards division of content behind pay walls (i.e: Cable Television) while the other is regulated and thus open access (i.e: Phone services are not locked behind a paywall forcing you to pay for subscription based content more than once.)
This article is written in the context of an economic stance and effectively illustrates the evolution of the internet over time. This is important because it shows how the internet was initially reliant on phone lines and thus fell under regulatory practices, but as the technology developed the internet became more akin to a cable T.V service. This is a crucial part of the argument because it contributes to the approach as to how the internet should be handled.
The author is credible because it is his primary job to research this particular field. His research is adequately supported by objective sources.
The relevance of this article shows how the landscape of ISP delivery has changed over the years. This answers and supports my thesis because it shows how an industry derived from the telephony industry should be regulated as such.