VOA慢速英语2009年-Economics Report - New Proposals Intensify

This is the VOA Special English Economics Report.

"Information wants to be free," the saying goes. But the debate over net neutrality could define how free the exchange of information is going to be in the future.

Net neutrality is the idea that everything on the Internet should be treated equally. That sounds simple. But the issue is a complex mix of technical, business, political and legal questions.
　
Julius Genachowski

In the United States, communication law is enforced by the Federal Communications Commission. Since two thousand five, the F.C.C. has used four policy principles to guide its enforcement in cases related to the Internet.

The policy statement says consumers must be able to get the lawful¹ content, applications and services of their choice. Users must also be able to connect their choice of devices that are legal and do not harm the network. Another principle supports competition.

This week, in a speech, F.C.C. Chairman Julius Genachowski proposed two more. One would say Internet providers could not discriminate² against content or applications. The other would require they explain how they manage their networks.

The F.C.C. chairman also wants to extend all six principles to wireless³ carriers now that their phones access the Internet. And he wants to make the principles into rules. Next month he will seek to begin the process, which starts with collecting public comment.

The new proposals have roots in disputes involving two companies. In two thousand seven, Verizon refused to make it easier for an abortion⁴ rights group to send text messages to its supporters. Verizon said it did not accept programs on issues like abortion or war, but it quickly changed its decision.

And last year, a divided F.C.C. ruled against Comcast for interfering⁵ with traffic to a lawful music and video sharing site. At first, Comcast denied it, but then defended its actions as "reasonable network management." Critics said Comcast was trying to block competition with its cable video programming.

Chairman Genachowski says a "free and open Internet" must be safeguarded. But providers say they sometimes have to block sites to prevent abuse. And a big wireless carrier, AT&T, calls extending the net neutrality policy "a risky⁶ experiment" with American investment in high-speed Internet.

There is also debate about the desire of some Internet providers to offer special treatment to sites willing to pay for it. That goes against the custom of treating all sites neutrally.

And that's the VOA Special English Economics Report, written by Mario Ritter. I'm Jim Tedder⁷.

1 lawful   

adj.法律许可的，守法的，合法的

参考例句：

• It is not lawful to park in front of a hydrant.在消火栓前停车是不合法的。
• We don't recognised him to be the lawful heir.我们不承认他为合法继承人。

2 discriminate   

v.区别，辨别，区分；有区别地对待

参考例句：

• You must learn to discriminate between facts and opinions.你必须学会把事实和看法区分出来。
• They can discriminate hundreds of colours.他们能分辨上百种颜色。

3 wireless   

adj.无线的；n.无线电

参考例句：

• There are a lot of wireless links in a radio.收音机里有许多无线电线路。
• Wireless messages tell us that the ship was sinking.无线电报告知我们那艘船正在下沉。

4 abortion   

n.流产，堕胎

参考例句：

• She had an abortion at the women's health clinic.她在妇女保健医院做了流产手术。
• A number of considerations have led her to have a wilful abortion.多种考虑使她执意堕胎。

5 interfering   

adj. 妨碍的 动词interfere的现在分词

参考例句：

• He's an interfering old busybody! 他老爱管闲事！
• I wish my mother would stop interfering and let me make my own decisions. 我希望我母亲不再干预，让我自己拿主意。

6 risky   

adj.有风险的，冒险的

参考例句：

• It may be risky but we will chance it anyhow.这可能有危险，但我们无论如何要冒一冒险。
• He is well aware how risky this investment is.他心里对这项投资的风险十分清楚。

7 tedder   

n.（干草）翻晒者，翻晒机

参考例句：

• Jim Tedder has more. 吉姆？特德将给我们做更多的介绍。 来自互联网
• Jim Tedder tells us more. 吉姆？泰德给我们带来更详细的报道。 来自互联网