A fair and unbiased internet is something that the US Federal Communications Commission and President Joe Biden's administration have pushed for, but that got recently blocked by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. This was because of a ruling that favored those who opposed the bill, and this block meant a temporary pause in the law's enforcement.
Since it won the vote which ultimately led to the restoration of net neutrality, the FCC campaigned for fair internet for the American public.
Net Neutrality is Blocked by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
(Photo : Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
After ISPs were granted a temporary pause in net neutrality's enforcement earlier this year, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has extended this by granting a stay for the opposition, extending the block against it. This means that the FCC may not enforce the set of laws and regulations that are brought by net neutrality until the court decides to lift it.
This came after the ISPs, who opposed net neutrality, filed petitions against the set of regulations that was recently restored by the FCC and Biden administration earlier this year.
Furthermore, the FCC's net neutrality push took several years before it got back on track to enforce a fair and unbiased internet, also classifying ISPs as common carriers.
Net neutrality promised fair internet access to any website under its jurisdiction, and it would prevent ISPs from enforcing their decision to block or throttle a website's speed. Despite this, Commissioner Rosenworcel believes that this recent stay is only a setback for their quest to allow fair internet access for the American people, with its fight continuing.
The FCC's Campaign on Net Neutrality
Net neutrality has been a significant part of the United States regulations among internet service providers to ensure that there are no biases in making the interweb accessible for all. However, it is known that during former President Donald J. Trump's term, net neutrality was officially sentenced to death, with this set of laws and regulations shut down by the administration.
Towards the end of President Biden's term, there has been a ramping focus on bringing back net neutrality, and this aligned with the current FCC Commissioner, Jessica Rosenworcel's plans for America's online access. The administration and the Commission promised equal access to the internet which expands on fairness and unbiased regulations among ISPs.
In early 2024, the FCC and President Biden's administration won in restoring net neutrality for the public to reap its benefits, but this was heavily opposed by ISPs in the US. The Sixth Court made its decision after reading the appeals from ISPs to temporarily block net neutrality's enforcement only several months since it was restored, but the FCC believes it is only a minor setback.