NET NEUTRALITYC : ONFLICTS OF INTEREST?

• Position: Brief article

It would appear that anything goes in the European Parliament between those for and against 'net neutrality' - conflicts of interest have even been mentioned in relation to some amendments to the telecoms package. Fighting in one corner are the telecom operators' supporters, who would like to see internet giants, such as Google, Facebook or Skype, pay for the space they take up on networks. In the other corner are those campaigning for internet freedom and for all users to have the same rights regardless of the content(1). Broadcasting operators are pushing for the same thing, which leaves the door open for them for future online video services.

In the European Parliament, some of the main campaigners for net neutrality are German MEPs Petra Kammerevert (S&D) and Sabine Verheyen (EPP), members of the Committee on Culture (CULT).

However, Kammerevert was a consultant for Germany's national broadcasting network ARD for seven years before going into Parliament. She is...