Tell the House Commerce
Subcommittee to Stop the FCC!

TAKE ACTION - SEND THIS LETTER TODAY! [1]

The new House Energy & Commerce Committee's Telecommunications Subcommittee will meet March 14th for a hearing titled "Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission". Note: The earlier Feb 15th Hearing was postponed due to the death of Committee member Charles Norwood. Please continue to send your letters.

This annual Q/A of the FCC by the House Subcommittee is an important moment for us to respond to the December 20th FCC Ruling on Video Franchising [2]. That FCC ruling went far deeper than the failed Congressional legislation of last year in attacking Public, Educational, and Governmental (PEG) Access channels and facilities. It also threatens local municipalities ability to exercise control over their 'rights of way" and provides little protection against the red-lining of entire communities. Worse of all, the FCC hearing on the matter was rife with inaccuracies and half-truths that even the phone companies backed away from. Such behavior by a Federal agency is reprehensible and we demand full accountability now!

The organizations representing cities [3], along with the Alliance for Community Media [4], have promised a lawsuit - but we need for members of the House to hear from the people and respond accordingly. Congressional intervention can stop this mess now!

Please take a moment today to send our letter to your elected representatives and key members of the House Subcommittee! We have to ensure that 'local video franchising' is on the top of the House list of problematic issues with the FCC. And though we are seriously miffed about this mess, we have a proper and polite letter you can send to your Representative and key members of the House Commerce Subcommittee right here [5].

A big thank you for responding so quickly to our last campaign. Over a four day period, you sent more than 80,000 letters to the Senate Commerce Committee [6] telling them to Stop the FCC!

Related articles and background:
FCC Issues Devastating Video Franchise Ruling in 3-2 Vote
http://saveaccess.org/node/614 [8]

Local governments: FCC not playing fair
http://saveaccess.org/node/686 [9]

ACM and Local Governments to Challenge FCC Rulings
http://saveaccess.org/node/678 [10]

FCC Video Franchise Vote Out of Bounds
http://saveaccess.org/node/615 [11]

FCC Decision on Video Franchising Is Detrimental for Local Government
http://saveaccess.org/node/613 [12]

The FCC Shafts The Locals
http://saveaccess.org/node/610 [13]

FCC Clears 'Shot Clock' Proposal
http://saveaccess.org/node/606 [14]

FCC Gives Telcos Big Victory
http://saveaccess.org/node/599 [15]

FCC Approves Franchise Reform in Partisan Vote
http://saveaccess.org/node/602 [16]

Cities, states, and non-profits line up against Martin's video franchise agenda
http://saveaccess.org/node/596
[17]