NET NEUTRALITY:

The issue of Network neutrality has become a nonstop issue in the United States. In the last fifteen years, the media has changed drastically and we have created various types of technology in which we obtain our information. The expansion of the Internet has changed tremendously over the past decade. In addition, the issue of net neutrality has been referred to as “The First Amendment of the Internet” (www.commoncause.org). The issue of net neutrality states that internet users should be able to access any web content they want, post their own content and use any applications they choose without restrictions or limitations imposed by their internet service providers (SearchNetworking.com ). In our nation, many high-speed Internet carriers such as Comcast, Verizon and At&T are in search of support for a “two tiered Internet model”. This model means that these high-speed internet carriers would be able to charge its owners of Web site fees for priority and faster speed within their company. The fact that many people argue this issue is because they state that the Internet was designed to work in a “traffic-neutral way” (SearchNetworking.com ) the Internet has become what it is today because of the neutrality that it provides. Many oppressors of this matter say that they would like to see Congress pass a telecom reform bill in favor of Net Neutrality. “Without Net neutrality the pipeline owners will choose the winners and losers on the Web." (SearchNetworking.com )

From reading several articles I had a basic understanding of net neutrality and the consequences of it. However, I chose to include this video clip because it makes you think of how huge of an issue this has and will become. The Internet has become one of the major sources in which we obtain our information. For me personally, I couldn’t imagine going a day without checking my email, facebook or surfing the web. Everyday people surf the web and open browsers of their choice because of net neutrality. Net neutrality makes it possible to search these engines because it prevents Internet providers from blocking access to us. I couldn’t imagine logging on to Google and not having the access due to painfully slow service. If these Internet services started to degrade our access or blocked our access completely, people would lose track of communication and many people would go insane. I do not think that people are aware of how serious this issue is becoming. Congress doesn’t agree with this, in which they do not think it is important enough to put into law. However I believe the issue should be enforced if we want to surf wherever and whenever we want on the Internet.

The Media's Silence..

This YouTube clip that I have chosen to include is a six-minute clip that outlines the Pentagon’s secret Military Analysts Program. I thought this video was appropriate to incorporate because it has many outside sources along with David Barstow that present information, and attitudes on this forceful issue in our nation. It conveys the miscommunication that the press legally provided us with. Lastly, the video investigates each Military Analysts involved with this crisis with various types of evidence.

LIE LIE LIE

I thought that this image was an accurate illustration to include with the Bush Administration crisis involving the military analysts. This image is a representation of Bush being symbolized as a candy dispenser. The PEZ candies that are being fed from him read, “lie” on each one. This demonstrates how his administration is utilizing control over the access and information with the analysis and turning it into “Trojan Horse” media. In addition the “lie” portrays the false and inflated information that is given to us.

The Pentagon's Mix Up

This article by Walter Pincus, from the Washing Post states how the Pentagon has mixed up propaganda with public affairs. This article is extremely interesting because it elucidates the merge between pr and propaganda in 2007 and 2008. Personally, I thought that this was appealing because it states the strategic communications that the military has in collaboration with the State Department. In addition, this article talks about the “War of Ideas” which is the ideas and information that we are provided with by the Pentagon’s propaganda regarding the War in Iraq.

Barstow Wins the Pulitzer Prize

The video clip from “Democracy Now” is the first national broadcast that New York Times reporter David Barstow had. Barstow speaks about his 2009 Pulitzer-Prize winning. He uncovers the exposure of the retired generals working as radio and television analysts that had been co-opted by the Pentagon to make its argument for the war in Iraq. In addition he explains what the pentagon has done along with the lack of reporting on the issue by the networks. He also explains his reactions from it. For example he explains how he "hasn’t received any invitations to appear on the main networks or cable programs after the report came out".

I chose to include this video clip from “Democracy Now” because it contains David Barstow's first national interview and his outlook of the report after it was released. He provides his ideas and attitudes about his report and what was gained from it such as his accomplishment of winning the Pulitzer-Prize in 2009. Being able to hear Barstow speak about the issue and watch this live news video gave me more of an understanding and impression of the bush administration scandal of the military analysts.