Post #1 (3/17/17) Unit of Study: Linkage Institutions 

FCC Crossroad: Protection of Free Internet vs. Fast Lanes

http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/07/opinion/van-schewick-net-neutrality/index.html

The FCC is faced with an issue on whether the new laws they create to protect the internet will or will not allow fast lanes. These potential fast lanes would enable internet service providers to levy access fees from internet applications. The access fees would pay for faster and more efficient service. Not only would big companies with the ability to pay be at an advantage over small businesses, but the average American would also suffer from this proposal. Millions of Americans agree that access fees should be banned; however, the only way for the FCC to ban fees would be to change the internet service providers (ISPs) as common carriers under Title II of the Communications Act. 

Despite the public's opinion, the FCC is looking to propose a law that divides the services the ISPs provide into two categories: "wholesale" service and "retail" service. Wholesale service would enable internet applications to reach consumers i.e. Google, Netflix while retail service would connect the average American to the internet. The FCC would then make a decision based on the specific case whether or not access fees are applicable to that case. The proposals would not provide internet protection instead it would raise the price of internet companies products and decrease innovation in the nation. An alternative to this route is for the FCC to change internet service under the Communications Act's Title II then take away all regulations that do not protect consumers while creating regulations that do provide protection through bans on discrimination and access fees.   
This issue of the FCC protecting the public interest or giving in to the fast lanes of internet services raises the question of whether or not the FCC really exists to keep the mass media in check. Since the FCC's main purpose is to regulate media and ensure that it is playing by the rules, I believe allowing fast lanes would eliminate the FCC's role as watch dog of the media instead replacing it with the media controlling the FCC through the power of wealth. Not only would the media be affected in ways such as a select few companies controlling the majority of the media but the American economy would also be harmed as small online businesses crumbled. Large companies would have superiority over small businesses eventually overpowering them completely and eliminating them. The FCC should be promoting the protection of American citizens' interests not of wealth companies. This all connects to class in that if the FCC grants fast lanes and the media becomes controlled by specific companies, a type of censorship would take place since those companies would be controlling what the public saw as important and holding back information that their views did not align with.