It Ain't "Network" Neutrality … It's "Internetwork" Neutrality

So far what we39ve got are sort of quotseriousquot suggestions a panoply of here39swhatweneedtodo guidance from the revolving doors of the Wheeler to Pai to Rosenworcel governing body To a degree that39s fine with today39s internetwork universe not counting users Of course the guidance lines are continually getting nudged Like with Disney and Hulu for Verizon subscribers Or Peacock free or discounted for Comcast subscribers or even whatever works this week for TMobile subs The big guys are always looking for a way to carve out a new edge even if it doesn39t meet the samerulesforeverybody creedsBut is this really the way to run a behemoth still burgeoning megabusiness that today encompasses just about everything and anything having to do with communication Instead of playing whackamole whenever the transgressions get too egregious wouldn39t it be better to craft wellunderstood rules and then set them in stoneIt would help businesses make better sense of themselves It would help consumers understand the currently amorphous monster that runs much of their lives And it might even result in a more coherent megamedia universe that could conduct itself efficiently to make our lives amp8230 well better instead of more fractiousSo could it happen Perhaps if after some settling down postpandemic reasonable folks could get together in the same room and actually discuss things Could be that39ll happen as hearings get underway for Senator Amy Klobuchar39s new techaimed antitrust bill hit the right committee or committees While the bill isn39t aimed at the Federal Confusion Commission directly hearings with the Antitrust subcommittee that she chairs will necessarily involve the internet amp8230 and whatever her subcommittee reports out will necessarily involve the FCC tooIt certainly wouldn39t hurt to be part of the discussions amp8230 and they might just find some of the more reasonable practitioners like Comcast39s Brian Roberts no kidding who told a questioner at his last earnings call quotIf there39s a way to codify that ie the quotlighttouchquot rules and perhaps put this issue in a permanent more consistent place that39s certainly a possibilityquotNice idea I won39t hold my breath but I do hope some sanity about this neverfullydeceased issue might prevailRandom NotesMeanwhile in either a major 1st Amendment attack on American media or an attempt to find a way to promote accurate and reliable information Representatives Anna Eshoo and Jerry McNerney wrote to the CEOs of Alphabet Altice USA Amazon Apple ATampampT Charter Comcast Cox Dish Hulu Roku and Verizon alleging a plague of misinformation and asking these seven questions1 quotWhat moral or ethical principles including those related to journalistic integrity violence medical information and public health do you apply in deciding which channels to carry or when to take adverse actions against a channel2 quotDo you require through contracts or otherwise that the channels you carry abide by any content guidelines If so please provide a copy of the guidelines3 quotHow many of your subscribers tuned in to Fox News and Newsmax on Optimum and Suddenlink for each of the four weeks preceding the November 3 2020 elections and the January 6 2021 attacks on the Capitol Please specify the number of subscribers that tuned in to each channel4 quotWhat steps did you take prior to on and following the November 3 2020 elections and the January 6 2021 attacks to monitor respond to and reduce the spread of disinformation including encouragement or incitement of violence by channels your company disseminates to millions of Americans Please describe each step that you took and when it was taken5 quotHave you taken any adverse actions against a channel including Fox News and Newsmax for using your platform to disseminate disinformation related directly or indirectly to the November 3 2020 elections the January 6 2021 Capitol insurrection or COVID19 misinformation If yes please describe each action when it was taken and the parties involved6 quotHave you ever taken any actions against a channel for using your platform to disseminate any disinformation If yes please describe each action and when it was taken7 quotAre you planning to continue carrying Fox News and Newsmax on Optimum and Suddenlink both now and beyond any contract renewal date If so whyquotI can39t wait for the answersClick the social buttons above or below to share this content with your friends and colleaguesThe opinions and points of view expressed in this content are exclusively the views of the author andor subjects and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaVillagecomMyersBizNet Inc management or associated writers

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It Ain't "Network" Neutrality … It's "Internetwork" Neutrality

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Paul S. Maxwell

FEMA and the Ad Council Encourage AANHPI Communities to Enhance Disaster Preparedness in New PSAs - Ad Council InSites

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It Ain't "Network" Neutrality … It's "Internetwork" Neutrality

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