National Press Club Newsmaker: Why Net Neutrality Must Be Maintained

Lauren Wilson, Policy Counsel for Free Press, to argue Net Neutrality is necessary to promote a free press and the public interest at National Press Club Newsmaker on June 23

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National Press Club

Jun 19, 2014, 12:13 ET

WASHINGTON, June 19, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Net Neutrality is the concept that all lawful Internet content be treated equally. That means that Internet service providers or the government cannot block, edit, or discriminate against information sent or received via the Internet. Until a U.S. appeals court decision in January, a neutral net was the standard.

Some argue that that net neutrality must be maintained to insure an open Internet and freedom both the press and speech. Others argue that removing net neutrality will allow for better service and that the freedoms of press and speech can still be protected.

In response to the court decision, the FCC has proposed new rules to try and protect the open Internet. While some argue that these rules will work, others argue that they will destroy the open Internet and curtail the freedoms of press and speech.

Lauren Wilson, Policy Counsel for Free Press, will argue that net neutrality should be maintained, and that the new proposed FCC rules will destroy the open Internet and damage freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Free Press is an organization that advocates for a free and open Internet, fights against "runaway" media consolidation, and wants to ensure diverse voices are represented in the media.

As Policy Counsel, Wilson works on a broad range of Internet, media and telecommunications issues and advocates for the public interest before the Federal Communications Commission, Congress, the courts and other federal and state agencies. In 2014, Forbes named Wilson to its "30 under 30" list in the law and policy category.

This National Press Club Newsmakers news conference is scheduled for 10 a.m., Monday, June 23, 2014 in the club's Zenger Room on the 13^th Floor of the National Press Building, 529 14^th St., NW, Washington, D.C.

Like all Newsmaker events, this news conference is open to credentialed journalists and club members, free of charge. No advance registration is necessary.

Contact:

Joe Sparks, NPC Newsmakers Event Host
Phone: 314-807-6059, [email protected]

Herb Perone, NPC Newsmakers Chair, 301-512-7636, [email protected]

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SOURCE National Press Club