Save Access

from: BitchSlappin

Follow the Money. It's going right from the Telecomms to the State Congresspeople

So the other day I pointed out that there was new legislation being introduced in North Carolina that would take away the ability of a City to build out its own broadband network in the absence of Cable or Telecomm action, a bill called The Local Government Fair Competition Act, which is anything but local and anything but fair. I also expressed my opinion that this smelled way too much like Telecomm Shenanigans to be anything different. Sure enough, all five sponsors of NC House Bill 1587 received $4,000 or more from one of the Telecomm or Cable interests. Who are the five? Drew Saunders, Harold Brubaker, Nelson Cole, Julie Howard, and Hugh Hollman. I suggest that when these five come up for re-election you interested citizens in North Carolina should let them know what you think of them selling you out to the highest bidder.

from: MultiChannel News

State Franchises Mean Service Call of Duty

As state lawmakers across the nation race to pass legislation taking control of video franchising oversight, state regulators are grappling with the additional responsibility and costs associated with that responsibility. Meanwhile, many city administrators say they’re trying to solve customer service problems regardless of whether they have official control or not.

from: Chicago Sun Times

Consumer protections are cable bill victory

June 7, 2007

You can already get phone service from your cable company. And if a promising bill in Springfield becomes law, you could soon get TV service from your phone company. The result should be a win for customers, not only because the bill will spur competition for TV service as well as phone service, but also because the measure contains some consumer protections that are the strongest in the country.

from: SCAT TV

Click To Play

Report dated June 5, 2007

The Joint Committee on Telecommunications held a public hearing at the Gardiner Auditorium in the MA State House to hear testimony on the "Verizon" bill. S. 1975 H. 3385

Many local communities spoke to defeat the bill.

If your community access television station would like a cablecast quality copy to show, or would like to hotlink this video on their web site....please contact Somerville Channel 3 at (617) 628-8826.

posted by SCAT Staff Vlog at 10:01 AM

0 comments

Report On Verizon Bill State House Public Hearing

Click To Play

Report dated June 5, 2007

The Joint Committee on Telecommunications held a public hearing at the Gardiner Auditorium in the MA State House to hear testimony on the "Verizon" bill. S. 1975 H. 3385

Many local communities spoke to defeat the bill.

If your community access television station would like a cablecast quality copy to show, or would like to hotlink this video on their web site....please contact Somerville Channel 3 at (617) 628-8826.

posted by SCAT Staff Vlog at 10:01 AM

0 comments

from: Chicago Sun-Times

Letter To the Editor: For once, public good doesn't fall in a hole PEG access television gets important protections in proposed legislation

June 7, 2007

Within a short walk from the hubbub of the legislative session in the State Capitol in Springfield is a quiet plaza with a statue of Abraham Lincoln. Inscribed are words spoken by the newly elected president in 1861 at his first inaugural address. Those words serve as a constant reminder to the men and women serving the people of Illinois today and in the future: ''Why should there not be a patient confidence in the ultimate justice of the people? Is there any better or equal hope in the world?''

from: The Independent Weekly

JUNE 6, 2007
Cities fight bill to limit broadband
Legislature considers move some call "No Competition Act"

BY FIONA MORGAN

The state legislature is considering a bill that would severely restrict the ability of local governments to provide broadband Internet access. It would affect everything from Chapel Hill's evolving plan for downtown wi-fi access to city partnerships with private industry to some rural communities' efforts to provide access to citizens stuck with nothing but dial-up.

from: Desmoines Register

Qwest says it's not ready to make the call on cable TV
A new law makes it easier for phone and cable companies to enter new markets.

By WILLIAM RYBERG
REGISTER BUSINESS WRITER

June 7, 2007

Qwest, Iowa's largest local phone company, is studying whether to get into the cable TV business in Iowa, but it's not ready to say that it will for sure - even though the company was a major backer of a bill designed to open the door for more competition.

from: Leader Online

Akron Council opposes SB 117

By Stephanie Kist

DOWNTOWN AKRON — The 11 members of Akron City Council present for the June 4 meeting voted unanimously to oppose Ohio Senate Bill 117. Councilwomen Reneé Greene (D-Ward 4) and Terry Albanese (D-Ward 6) were absent.

The resolution, which was sponsored by Councilman Michael Williams (D-at large), has been on Council’s agenda for several weeks as the bill, which would introduce changes to cable franchising in Ohio, made its way through the legislature in Columbus.

from: LA City Beat

Tuning Out the Left
Your TV might have 500 channels, but media consolidation has all but guaranteed that progressive, alternative channels like Free Speech TV are not among them

~ By MINDY FARABEE ~

~ All Bush, all the time: Your TV is desperate for progressive news ~