Internet Access as a Fundamental Right?

Apparently so? According to a multi-national poll by the BBC, almost 80% of people answered "Strongly agree" or "somewhat agree" when asked: "Should the internet be a fundamental right?"

I'm conflicted, and I feel like a Republican. My first gut reaction was, "hell, no!" Then I considered whether the government should be able to restrict your internet access. In some cases, I wouldn't have a problem with that -- for example, telling someone convicted of downloading kiddie porn that he's not allowed to use the interwebs anymore. I'm not going to lose any sleep over that. But what if they could restrict your use for most felony convictions (like voting)? That makes me uneasy. Half a point for the "rights" side.

What are "fundamental rights"? Well, there's always life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I don't know that the internet is related to those; although my pursuit of happiness would be harder if I couldn't talk to my friends online. I might have to pick up a phone. The horror! What else? Everyone has a right to have access to clean water, uncontaminated food, safe living environments. Governments should spend money to make sure every citizen has access to those things. But should we bend over backwards to give everyone internet access? I think that would go lower on my list than a lot of things, so point to "not a fundamental right" side.

Final count, with the extra "gut" bonus gives it to the "internet is not a fundamental right." I could have an entirely different opinion about this tomorrow.