NCLIS Criticizes DOPA, Supports Net Neutrality

-- Library Journal, 11/13/2006

As Congress prepares to go back into session, the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) has issued statements criticizing the Deleting Online Predators Act (DOPA) and supporting the concept of "net neutrality." NCLIS Chair Beth Fitzsimmons expressed concern that DOPA would prevent schools and libraries from getting E-rate telecommunications discounts that they depend on. As for "net neutrality," NCLIS pointed out that, not only should Congress "take action to assure the tiered access is prevented. In fact, according to a study done under contract for the Commission, the government has already taken a stand. In 1992, when Congress permitted commercial traffic on the Internet, the Committee report on the legislation noted that the change did not alter the 'goals or characteristics' of the network." Why this apparent flurry of press statements? Fitzsimmons told LJ "We wanted to make sure that, when they came back from elections, they'd have it upfront."