MediaBerkman

Today’s Internet is an engine of innovation, creativity, free speech, and democratic participation. Applications like email, the web, and voice over IP have changed the way we communicate. Companies like Amazon, Google, and eBay point towards new ways of doing business that are fast becoming integral to people’s daily lives.

The combined effect has undermined established pre-Internet businesses from retail stores to publishers to telephone companies. These interests have taken their case to the Federal Communications Commission, the courts, and now to the U.S Congress.

In this edition of AudioBerkman, we’ll hear four voices from Freedom to Connect discuss the issue of “Net Neutrality” and explain the forces that are now colliding for the future of the Internet.

The hour consists of excerpts from four talks given at Freedom to Connect in Washington, D.C. on April 3 & 4, 2006:

Congressman Rick Boucher (D-VA)
Chris Sacca (Google)
Former FCC Chairman Michael Powell
Former FCC Chairman Reed Hundt

Download the MP3 (time: 54:59)

Produced for the Public Radio Exchange by David Isenberg and Colin Rhinesmith. Music by Joe Craven.

“U.S. Representative Rick Boucher, serving his twelfth term representing Virginias Ninth Congressional District, is at the forefront of federal information technology policy making. He has a long history of involvement in and a deep knowledge of advanced telecommunications and information technology matters. He also extensively examines the intersection of technologies and copyright law, authoring legislative measures to promote technological innovation and the rights of consumers while ensuring that creators of intellectual property are fairly compensated. Congressman Boucher originated the Congressional Internet Caucus in 1996. This bipartisan caucus has grown to more than 170 members of the U.S. House and Senate.” - Freedom To Connect.

Listen to Rep. Boucher, who spoke during a Tuesday morning session at F2C 2006, discuss how the new House Telecom bill would impact Video Franchising and Network Neutrality.