Excerpt
JUDY WOODRUFF (NewsHour): The President’s focus may be on Asia, but earlier today, he surprised many by weighing in on the future of the Web.
The subject? NET neutrality, or the idea that all traffic on the Web should be treated equally. It’s been the focus of a major debate and battle for years, as the Federal Communications Commission must decide how to treat broadband providers. Some of the biggest ones have argued there’s a place and a need to offer premium service at a different price, while still maintaining vital access for all.
The White House released a video in which the president made his most direct comments yet about how he thought the FCC should proceed.
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: They should make it clear that whether you use a computer, phone or tablet, Internet providers have a legal obligation not to block or limit your access to a Web site. Cable companies can’t decide which online stores you can shop at or which streaming services you can use, and they can’t let any company pay for priority over its competitors.
To put these protections in place, I’m having the FCC to reclassify Internet service under Title II of a law known as the Telecommunications Act. In plain English, I’m asking them to recognize that for most Americans the Internet has become an essential part of everyday communication and everyday life.
JUDY WOODRUFF: We get a deeper explanation of the President’s move and look at the reaction to it with Megan Smith. She’s the chief U.S. technology officer at the White House.
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