[grc] FCC O'Rielly -- Internet is not a Right

[juice at whidbey.com]

WITH MAJOR WIRE LINE TELCOS ENDING OR SELLING OFF SERVICE, WE NEED TO
MONITOR THE FCC VERY CLOSELY.
TOM.

http://www.rcrwireless.com/20150626/policy/fcc-commissioner-internet-is-not-a-right-tag15
  [1]

	WASHINGTON – “The Internet is not a human right,” said Michael
O’Rielly, Federal Communications Commission commissioner, in an
address to  the Internet Innovation Alliance panel.

	O’Rielly made the remark as part of a presentation titled “The
Role for Regulators in an Expanding Broadband Economy_.” _His
comment seemed to be aimed at those who have frequently raised the
Internet to the same level of necessity as that of shelter or food in
the list of things that are necessary for humans to not just survive
but thrive.

	O’Rielly’s admonishment is in contrast to a recent trend in
public policy of the Internet being viewed more and more as a basic
necessity of modern life.

	The United Nations [2] is one of the organizations that holds this
view evidenced by a 2011 special report that reads, in part: “The
recent wave of demonstrations in countries across the Middle East and
North African region has shown the key role that the Internet can play
in mobilizing the population to call for justice, equality,
accountability and better respect for human rights. As such,
facilitating access to the Internet for all individuals, with as
little restriction to online content as possible, should be a priority
for all states.”

	Despite his contra position, O’Rielly didn’t deny the importance
of the Internet in daily life.

	“We can all agree that we live in a technology-centric society;
from our work experiences, to the cars we drive, to the free time
activities, the Internet and broadband are ever present.”

	Despite this admission, O’Rielly vehemently maintained that the
Internet should not be raised to the same level of life, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness.

	“Internet access is not a necessity or a human right, it is
important to note that Internet access is not a necessity in the
day-to-day lives of Americans and it doesn’t even come close to the
threshold to be considered a basic human right.”  O’Rielly said
in his remarks.

	There are certainly people who support O’Rielly’s stance, but
popular opinion may be against him. In 2010 a BBC survey of 26 nations
found that 76% [3] of those polled said the Internet was a
fundamental right.

	The U.S. Department of Commerce [4] meanwhile estimates that 96% of
working Americans use mobile devices or the Internet as part of their
daily lives while 62% reported the Internet as being an integral part
of their job.

Links:
------
[1]
http://www.rcrwireless.com/20150626/policy/fcc-commissioner-internet-is-not-a-right-tag15
[2]
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/17session/A.HRC.17.27_en.pdf
[3] http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8548190.stm
[4]
http://2010-2014.commerce.gov/news/fact-sheets/2011/05/13/fact-sheet-digital-literacy#_edn4