Could the end of net neutrality bring down bloggers

Since the start of the Internet all users have been able to receive equal access to any available website. The idea of net neutrality allows any website the opportunity to receive a large audience if the content is compelling enough. For many years however, large-scale Internet service providers have been advocating to end net neutrality. Although it has not been eliminated yet, the FCC has created a proposal that calls to give Internet service providers to create a “fast-lane” for companies that can afford to pay an extra-fee. According to an article from Common Dreams, the proposal received an overwhelming amount of backlash.

The FCC received so many comments from the public it caused their site to crash. This alone should be enough to show the FCC that net neutrality should remain in existence, however there is still a definite risk that the FCC will place this proposal into effect.

The end of net neutrality could mean the end to many independent online media outlets and bloggers. If these sites are placed into a slower lane than large mainstream organizations, the audience will not take the time to wait and receive the content provided by a small independent outlet when they can receive instant news from a larger outlet that has the funds to be placed in the “fast lane.”

Personally, as a someone who grew up with the Internet, I expect to receive a website’s content instantly. If I am in a space with poor Internet connection I often give up and do not try to wait and see if the content will load. I find that this is becoming a common theme among Internet users, especially those of the younger generation.

If this policy were to be put into effect I would not be surprised if online independent news outlets and bloggers would most likely lose a large portion of their audience. These news outlets may already struggle with receiving a sufficient audience and even if they have a reasonably sized audience many are always looking to gain in readership. Although many are providing important and interesting news, there are still a large number of the public who are unaware of independent media outlets.

Ending net neutrality would not only weaken independent but also strengthen large news corporations. This policy would assist in directing news consumers to the fast-paced website simply because it is more convenient.

Although there was such a high amount of criticism towards this policy, I believe it will be very difficult to implement successfully. This policy in my opinion appears to be an indirect way of infringing on a citizens right of freedom of speech/freedom of the press. Many news outlets are solely online and if they could not afford access to the fast-paced service than it would alter how many people hear their voice.