Net neutrality supporters hold your breath…Google and Verizon “are nearing an agreement that could allow Verizon to speed some online content to Internet users more quickly if the content’s creators are willing to pay for the privilege.”

My spidey senses tell me this could really hurt journalism by raising the barrier of entry for those who can afford it while forcing independent low budget bloggers and news reporters crappy load speeds.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/05/technology/05secret.html?_r=1&hp

Maybe someone in the community thinks different?

From Choney’s piece at MSNBC.com, The Gray Lady might owe GOOG and VZ an apology, see http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38576914/ — as she writes there: “Google has been one of the big forces behind the Open Internet Coalition, which supports “network neutrality,” the notion that no Internet content should be blocked, slowed or given preference on Internet networks in any way to users in the United States.”

On the upside, this has turned brighter lights on the FCC process, see for example http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129008518

That’s good, because as Sen. Al Franken wrote today at CNN.com, “Net neutrality is [the] foremost free speech issue of our time”, and as MSNBC.com consumer advocate Bob Sullivan related, also today, “The important debate on net neutrality is perhaps the most misunderstood technology argument of our time.”

I’m glad to see everyone stepping up to the podium, and expect the NYT to be as good a source as any going forward, despite or even because of what looks like a Sky Is Falling misstep.

It’s good to see all this coverage of a very critical issue.

I wonder if MSNBC will keep its stance if the NBC/Comcast merger goes through.