Net neutrality protects equal treatment of all data that travels over internet networks fairly, with no discrimination and no blocking of any legal material. These networks over which information travels are controlled by internet service providers (ISPs) such as Comcast and Verizon.
Net neutrality is considered vital to protect an open internet. It has faced many threats over the years. Any weakening of net neutrality has implications for health care and for journalists, according to a 2017 AHCJ blog post. As health care becomes more connected, an open, neutral internet ensures that there’s no surcharges or slow lanes for telehealth, home monitoring devices or even inpatient connected devices. For journalists, net neutrality ensures that all internet users have access to all content equally, whether they come from tiny blogs or from media or industry giants.