Net Neutrality Poll Far From Neutral Itself [1]
Submitted by Diane Farsetta [2] on
"Pollsters hired by Verizon Communications [3] Inc. presented a study [4] today that suggests consumers overwhelmingly reject 'net neutrality [5]' ... but they support Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens [6]'s voluminous bill that rewrites many of the nation's communications laws," writes Amy Schatz. The U.S. Senate Commerce committee, which Stevens chairs, issued a press release [7] claiming the study shows "American voters favor video choice over onerous 'Net Neutrality' regulations." The study was conducted by the PR firm Glover Park Group [8], in conjunction with Public Opinion Strategies [9]. Glover Park Group has worked for the U.S. Telecom Association and News Corporation [10], founding an Astroturf group [11] for the latter. The net neutrality poll questions are leading, asking participants which is more important: "the benefits of new TV and video choice" and "lower prices for cable TV," or "barring high speed internet providers from offering specialized services ... for a fee." On MyDD [12], Matt Stoller [13] compares the poll questions to, "Do you want lots of pie or would you like a kidney infection?"