Fairness Doctrine vs Net Neutrality

[GTSteve03]

Ok, I'm admitting my ignorance here but can someone please compare/contrast the just-failed "Fairness Doctrine" that attempts to get both sides equal air-time on radio, versus the "Net Neutrality" push in Congress that from my understanding is designed to prevent the Internet network providers from showing favoritism towards certain websites/companies over others.

Do they not attempt to do the same thing in 2 different realms of communication? Don't radio stations in fact give airtime to people/companies that give them money?

I'm feeling like I should be for Net Neutrality but against the Fairness Doctrine yet now I'm feeling conflicted.

Help?

 

[pcosmar]

I would like to see the First Amendment left alone.
With multiple voices and free access no one goes unheard. If I disagree with something, that is my right, but to silence them is not.
The Government has no business controlling speech.

 

[WayneConrad]

I think the market will sort this out just fine. You know, competition and all that. The free market, for all of its terrifying chaos, is far less terrifying than is the result of giving government the power to "fix" it.

Schemes of government regulation to fix some perceived problem always have, at their core, the desire to benefit some existing players at the consumer's cost. See: Gas rationing, interstate shipping regulation, air travel regulation.

This is really better as an APS topic.

 

[Mannix]

Net Neutrality means all traffic must be handled the same, no matter where it's coming from. This forces an absolute first come first serve basis for handling packets.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Net_neutrality has more information than I care type out here.

 

[taliv]

net neutrality isn't a free speech issue. it's a property rights issue.

offhand, i would say that the libertarian position on net neutrality would be "AGAINST" because you're basically saying that if a business builds a network, it should be able to do what it wants with that network without government intervention. (granted, it's complicated somewhat because telecom industry is somewhat monoplistic, and partially regulated today)

however, iirc, Ron Paul's position is FOR net neutrality, and I don't know why. Until I hear what he has to say about it (i searched his library and haven't found anything) I'm still leaning toward "AGAINST"


the fairness doctrine is nothing less than censorship

 

[Art Eatman]

Before closing as Off Topic: "Equal Time" means that a Rush Limbaugh would be forced to have somebody in his studio or on the phone to present the "opposite view" with equal time. Much like the Hannity & Colmes, but forced by law.

"Net Neutrality" is as described above, maintaining a level playing field for all involved.

Art