Wiki founder Jimmy Wales criticizes broadband subsidies

Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales criticized the idea of subsidies to broadband Internet providers during a conversation at the Personal Democracy Forum in New York on Thursday morning.

When asked by an audience member if he pays attention to issues such as broadband availability and net neutrality, Wales first responded that he did not feel qualified to comment on the issue, but then voiced some pointed criticism of the broadband subsidies included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"My views on broadband accessibility — I'm not sure it's best use of government money to subsidize broadband companies," Wales said. "It sounds an awful lot like a handout for companies that are already very, very, very rich.

"I refuse to answer that question," he continued. "I have no idea. I make websites."

Wales also described his views on net neutrality as complex and said he was not certain about them.