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from: My DD

Meet Hannah Sassaman, Prometheus Radio Project

by Nancy Scola, Fri May 04, 2007 at 08:03:59 PM EST

Can you believe that we're already at the seventh installment in our MyDD interview series called Hearing Progressive Voices? Why, it seems as if it was just yesterday that I was thinking, hey, interviewing interesting progressives via instant messenger would be fun, educational, and -- because IM produces an instant transcript -- easy. I'm particularly pleased to have had the chance to chat today with Hannah Sassaman. Hannah is the Program Director for the Prometheus Radio Project, a Philadelphia-based group that helps set up community radio stations and fights for a media landscape that is more fair, more balanced, and more open to all.

from: TMC net

Will New Cable Law in Florida Slash Costs?

TMCnet News
May 07, 2007

The Consumer Choice Act of 2007 is expected to make small, perhaps subtle changes in the law, which will allow more competition to enter the market and offer consumers greater choice and access to new technologies, at a lower cost. Indeed, technologies guided by law often become more affordable to consumers, as there is greater competition to offer higher quality products, but to offer them at a lower price. But, the new Consumer Choice Act will bring about a fundamental shift in the issuance of cable franchises in the state.

E-mail the members of the E&PU committee today!

from: Beacon Journal

AT&T cable bill gets revise in Ohio
Hudson, Wadsworth to keep local channels

Posted on Mon, May. 07, 2007
By Dennis J. Willard
Beacon Journal Columbus Bureau

COLUMBUS - A bill designed to let AT&T get into the cable television business through the Internet is being rewritten after opponents that operate local public access stations and enter into franchise contracts with providers mounted a campaign to stop it.

from: Desmoines Register

Cable law faulty, advocates say
Lawsuits targeting franchise fees in jeopardy, they fear

By JASON CLAYWORTH
REGISTER STAFF WRITER

May 3, 2007

Thousands of Iowans could be left without cable service if a bill passed by the Legislature is signed by the governor, cable and city advocates say.

from: Nashville City Paper

If denied, AT&T says it won’t ask again
By John Rodgers, jrodgers@nashvillecitypaper.com
May 07, 2007

AT&T’s lead lobbyist says that if the telecom giant is not successful this year in passing its bid for statewide television franchising, it won’t try again next year but could offer its services to Nashvillians in the near future.

from: Neiman Watchdog

Press gives a free pass to citizens groups allied with telecoms

At a New Jersey utilities board hearing on cable franchises, three guys from Verizon – the elephant in the room – go unnoticed by the regulators, and by the press.

Q. Citizens groups get funding or other support from telecoms and then testify on their behalf, neglecting to point out that they are beneficiaries. Is that acceptable behavior by the citizens groups?

from: TV Predictions

Qwest: Maybe People Don't Want Telco TV
The telephone company's CEO defends his conservative vision for video service.
By Phillip Swann

Washington, D.C. (May 3, 2007) -- AT&T and Verizon plan to spend billions of dollars over the next several years on new TV services, including robust High-Definition TV lineups.

Note: This raises serious concerns for private citizens using telephone company services - phone, data and video. Telco Triple Play is now a triple wiretap opportunity with no legal privacy protections.

from: Ars Technica

Bush administration proposes retroactive immunity for phone companies

By Nate Anderson
| Published: May 04, 2007 - 01:33PM CT

Subject: Write or Call the Gov Today-Save PEG and the First Amendment

note: Gov. Crist signed the bill May 18th - but write him anyway!

Please act on this today and then forward this email on to EVERYBODY you know.