Did you know there is legislation in Congress
that will drastically reduce Public Access television funding and strip local
government of its ability to control its public right-of-ways. They are
considering legislation that lets Telephone Companies and Cable Companies decide
who gets preferential treatment on the internet, or gets to "ride in the fast
lane" based on who has the deepest pockets. Let's demand more from Congress
concerning this legislation by visiting
and sending a letter to Congress.
URGE CONGRESS
TO STOP FCC!
The Alliance has set up a site to make it easy for you, your friends,
relatives and supporters to write your Congressional delegation. Congress needs
to know that the FCC is on the verge of taking Congressional power as they
rewrite cable law. It is important for Congress to know that their constituents
are active in community media and that you are ready to fight.
The rules of this process are written against your interests. You are not
allowed to call or write the FCC right now, but your Congress members can.
Being written out of the law by the FCC:
Support for Public, Education and Government Access Channel:
GONE!
Channel capacity for Public, Education and Government Access Channels
from new providers. GONE!
Your city's right to reasonable payment by the telephone and cable
companies who make billions of dollars using public land.
GONE!
Your city's public safety and educational communication systems.
GONE!
The rules will be rewritten Wednesday. Only your Congressmembers can stop
the FCC now. Tell them to support your community. Tell them to forward your
concerns to the FCC NOW!
Stop the FCC Now!
For
more information on how to take action, go to either:
http://saveaccess.org/ACM-FCC
http://alliancecm.org
FCC Chairman Martin is working hard to push a telco friendly ruling through
the FCC. He's had a struggle with the AT&T/Bell South merger and the Video
Ownership proceedings and appears to want at least one victory this year.
With the Video Franchising Ruling Martin wants to impose a strict time
limits on local franchising authorities, place a restrictive cap on PEG
franchise fees and weaken build-out (red-lining) requirements. With a 3-2
Republican majority in the FCC, the ruling is likely to pass - we need your
support to ensure it doesn't pass without public outcry.
Some recent articles on the FCC Video Franchise Ruling:
FCC may ease way for telecoms to sell TV
http://saveaccess.org/node/563
Martin Pitches Telco-Aid Package
http://saveaccess.org/node/562
FCC Loves Their TelcoTV
http://saveaccess.org/node/553
