Public Debate on Net Neutrality
WPDU debaters Michael Mangus, Melissa Mistretta, and Guy Risko joined Hal Singer, president of Criterion Economics, and Art Brodsky, communications director for Public Knowledge, in a public debate on the question "Should Congress guarantee Net neutrality?" on Friday, February 23, 2007.
The University of Pittsburgh's Department of Computer Science co-hosted the event, which drew some 130 audience members to the Sennott Square auditorium. Other interested citizens followed the debate live on the Internet, accessing a real-time video webstream arranged by Pitt's Center for Instructional Development and Distance Education.
Legislation is pending in Congress that would guarantee "Net neutrality." The two proposed versions of "neutrality" legislation to date would prohibit: (1) the "tiering" of broadband through sale of voice- or video-oriented quality of service packages; and (2) content- or service-sensitive blocking or censorship on the part of broadband carriers. Internet content providers such as Google and Yahoo join media critics in arguing that avoidance of tiered pricing schemes is crucial for maintaining the democratic potential of the Internet as a site for free expression. On the other hand, Verizon, Comcast, AT&T, and other companies in the telecommunications industry who want to offer "non-neutral" Internet broadband services are calling for Congress and regulators to take a "hands-off" approach so that they can pursue improvements in the physical infrastructure of the Internet.
The WPDU public debate on this issue provided a forum for prominent figures in the Net neutrality debate to present their viewpoints and test their arguments in a constructive format that mixed guest advocates and student debaters. WPDU debater Michael Mangus joined Art Brodsky on the affirmative side in calling for Congress to guarantee Net neutrality, while Hal Singer and WPDU debater Guy Risko argued the opposite side of the question. WPDU debater Melissa Mistretta served as questioner, peppering each expert speaker with five minutes of cross-examination after their opening speeches. More details on the debate are featured in this Pitt News article. A promotional flier (PDF) for the event can also be viewed online.