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Equal access critical to libraries' work providing resources to Oregonians
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) News Release
U.S. Senate Documents
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and Oregon Library Association President Candice Watkins, in an op-ed in the East Oregonian, call for Oregonians to join in their fight to ensure equal access to the Internet.
The governing principle of the Internet to date has been net neutrality -- bits are bits, and Internet service providers should not prioritize content delivery based on ability to pay.
Net neutrality ensures that all Internet users can seek out and find information from all points of view without discrimination. It has generated substantial benefits for consumers, entrepreneurs and the users at every one of Oregon's more than 120 public libraries, as well as hundreds more school and college libraries.
As the president of the Oregon Library Association and as Oregon's senior U.S. senator, we share the view that the Internet must remain neutral if it is to continue to support freedom of speech, open new educational frontiers and spur economic growth. That is why industry schemes to create pay-to-play Internet fast lanes have librarians and lawmakers alike...