This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Here is some punditry from print people about Internet policy. Proceed with caution:
— A big voice for net neutrality — Salt Lake Tribune Editorial
"There once was a time in history when the limitation of governmental power meant increasing liberty for the people. In the present day the limitation of governmental power, of governmental action, means the enslavement of the people by the great corporations who can only be held in check through the extension of governmental power." — Theodore Roosevelt, 1912
" ... The systems that bring people the Internet belong to giant businesses like Comcast, Time Warner and Verizon. They did build that. Particularly the bits that run down your street and into your house. In most cities, one provider has an effective monopoly.
"That's why it was good news when President Obama the other day came out in favor of "net neutrality" in regulating Internet service providers (ISPs). ..."
— A light touch on Web regulation — Denver Post Editorial
" ... Historically, government has jumped into such regulation — of the railroads in the 19th century, for example — when there was clear evidence that consumers were being shortchanged or exploited by existing arrangements. But that's not the case with the Internet today. The business remains competitive and options for consumers continue to evolve. ..."
— Obama comes out for net neutrality — San Jose Mercury News Editorial
" ... While Obama's rhetoric in the past generally has supported the idea known as net neutrality, he has mostly stayed above the fray between broadband companies and Internet content providers and activists. The president has no direct power in the decision, but he can use his bully pulpit to press the Federal Communications Commission to do the right thing for entrepreneurs and the public. We hope he keeps it up. ..."
— Keep the Internet open and neutral — San Francisco Chronicle Editorial
"President Obama left no room for doubt: He's solidly against letting Internet providers charge more for speedier access or block service. His thoughts — in surprisingly blunt remarks — should kick the wavering Federal Communications Commission in the right direction. ..."
— Navigating net neutrality — Los Angeles Times Editorial
" ... He's right about how vital it is to protect the openness and freedom to innovate that have characterized the Internet since its inception. But there's a real risk of regulatory overkill in what Obama has proposed. ..."
— No toll lanes on Internet highway — Sacramento Bee Editorial
" ... The Federal Communications Commission's proposed rules for net neutrality so far have drawn comments from almost 4 million people; that's how fearful Americans are that big corporations will co-opt and corrupt the free flow of information. ..."
— The FCC is stuck in the past when regulating the Internet — Michael K. Powell (National Cable & Telecommunications Association) | For The Seattle Times
" ... It should give us pause when the chairman of the FCC describes his hybrid proposal as a double-barrel approach. Government shotguns pointed at vibrant industries and markets will kill, not nurture, the Internet. ..."
And, from the rather more web-savvy folks at Vox:
— Everything you need to know about network neutrality — Timothy B. Lee | Vox
"When Mark Zuckerberg created Facebook in his Harvard dorm room, he didn't need to ask Comcast, Verizon, or other internet service providers to add Facebook to their networks. He also didn't have to pay these companies extra fees to ensure that Facebook would work as well as the websites of established companies. Instead, as soon as he created the Facebook website, it was automatically available from any internet-connected computer in the world.
"That's network neutrality. ..."