President Obama reiterates his support for net neutrality

Amazing but true: Appointing a former cable lobbyist to run the Federal Communications Commission might not be the best way to protect net neutrality. Nonetheless, President Barack Obama, who campaigned on defending net neutrality during his first presidential run in 2008, finds himself in just such a situation after seeing his own FCC chairman offer up a plan that would allow for the creation of Internet “fast lanes” where ISPs could charge companies more money to ensure the faster delivery of their content.

President Barack Obama reiterated his support for the principle known as net neutrality Thursday, signaling he would be opposed to the proposed Federal Communications plan to create a so-called Internet “fast-lanes.” Speaking at a town hall at a technology co-working space in Santa Monica, Calif., Obama said a level playing field on the Internet was one of his earliest campaign promises. “On net neutrality, I made a commitment very early on that I am unequivocally committed to net neutrality,” Obama said, earning a round of applause from the tech-minded crowd. “I think it is what has unleashed the power of the Internet and we don’t want to lose that or clog up the pipes.” “I know that one of the things people are most concerned about is paid prioritization, the notion that somehow some folks can pay a little more money and get better service, more exclusive access to customers through the Internet: that is something I’m opposed to,” Obama said. “I was opposed to it when I ran and I continue to be opposed to it now.”