media one final essay

Media 1 Final Exam Essay

WHAT TO DO: Review the materials discussed in class and posted on the Media 1 Blog (plus any other research you want to add). Then, answer the question below**. BACKGROUND: You’ve likely seen or heard the term net neutrality but did not understand what it meant. Put simply, it is a battle between Internet providers such as AT&T and Comcast and the federal government (under the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to determine how the Internet (World Wide Web if you prefer) should operate.

On Feb. 26, 2015 the FCC voted 3-2 to impose new regulations on Internet service providers (the same types of rules telephone and broadcast companies operate under) to prevent them from intentionally blocking or slowing the flow of information on the Internet. For example, one company cannot pay more (and likely charge customers more) to have their movies streaming more smoothly. Right now, movies (and other data) must flow at an equal rate. That’s because the FCC has decided the Internet is an essential resource that everyone should have equal access to without restriction.

But AT&T and other companies have challenged this decision, saying the FCC rules violate the First Amendment rights of Internet service providers to freely operate their businesses without interference or regulation from the federal government. And now, under the incoming Trump Administration, AT&T and others might get their way.

**THE QUESTION:

Should it be OK (legal) for Internet providers to offer faster access to some data/information/websites while slowing access to other data/information/websites? Or should the federal government continue to require Internet providers to offer equal access to all data/information/websites? THE PROCEDURE:

 This is just your opinion, but it should be clearly stated and supported with factual information and examples of what you are talking about and why you hold that opinion.

 You MUST have a thesis statement at the top of your essay, or underlined/highlighted elsewhere.

 Check your spelling and grammar carefully.  The essay should be as long as necessary for you to fully answer the question

DEADLINE: End of the Day, Friday, Dec. 23. (Should be uploaded to the Dropbox titled “Final Essay”)  ADVISORY: Do YOUR OWN WORK. Essays copied from others or Internet sources without

proper credit will receive an automatic “Zero/F,” which means you HAVE FAILED this class.