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from: Journal News

Fairfield against change in cable deals

By Michael D. Pitman

Staff Writer

Monday, April 09, 2007

FAIRFIELD — While city officials are still trying to get a franchise agreement with Time Warner Cable, an Ohio Senate bill introduced last month may nix it — along with all other cable franchise agreements in the state.

AT$T has been offering dish TV as a substitute in most of it's service areas (as part of a triple play package). Verizon has been doing this to a lesser extent too in the northeast. It would make sense for AT$T to buy out one of the DBS providers since it has no plans for widespread fiber deployment beyong new luxury construction (investor flashback - AT&T once bought a major cable company then sold it at a loss).

from: Shelbyville Times-Gazette

Cable TV bill takes legislative spotlight
Monday, April 9, 2007
By Clint Confehr

State Rep. Curt Cobb is holding a hearing today in Nashville on what's been dubbed the AT&T bill to create statewide franchises for cable TV companies instead of having them licensed by cities and counties.

from: Daily Herald

Cable plan riles towns, Proponents say more competition would result

BY HARRY HITZEMAN
Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted Saturday, April 07, 2007

Springfield lawmakers expect changes to a controversial bill that cities fear will give companies like AT&T carte blanche over where large utility boxes are located.

from: global.freifunk.net

Opposition to HB1500 Continues to Grow -- Peter Collins Speaks Out.

As I reported at the beginning of March, one of the worst state franchise bills I've ever read was introduced by James Brosnahan to the Illinois legislature. I can only imagine that the goal was to fast-track this bill and sneak it through before the public got organized enough to demand that it be withdrawn. It is, to say the least, a horrendous bill, eliminating local control, gutting consumer protections and legally protecting telecom providers who wish to redline the poor and rural. This bill is, in almost every regard, directly contrary to the best interests of the general public. Luckily, thought leaders and consumer advocates from across the state have been waging a educational campaign to let people people know about this travesty. Peter Collins has been leading the charge and his recent letter to Brosnahan is included below.

from: Lafayette Pro Fiber

How Video Franchising Works

Friday, April 06, 2007

They've got some experience under their belt with state video franchising in Virgina and, according to an article in the Newport News paper, some of the opponents' worst fears are being realized. Verizon, who is building out a Fiber to the Privileged (FTTP) network (If this is unfamiliar territory drop to the bottom and read up on the background to this story.)

from: Tri-Cites News

City Raises Concerns Over Controversial Cable Bill

From Tri-Cities News, April 6, 2007
By Nate Morabito

Cable television customers could pay the price if a bill making it’s way through the Tennessee Legislature becomes law according to some Johnson City Commissioners.

from: The Capital Times

State Reps Rolling In At&t Cash

Dollars Go To Backers Of Controversial Bill

The Capital Times :: METRO :: C1
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Judith Davidoff The Capital Times

AT&T officials significantly increased their donations to the author of a controversial video licensing bill the year the proposal was being developed, according to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.

from: Riedel Communications

Blasphemy Comes A-Callin

It’s never a good sign when you find yourself swearing at your computer screen before 9 a.m. It’s a jumble, it’s just a jumble.

It started with a story regarding a resolution passed by the U.N. Human Rights Council sponsored by Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) that limits freedom of expression about religion. The resolution was presented as a measure to “protect the religious sensibilities of Muslims.” Look out Salman Rushdie, Madonna, Pope Benedict and you Danish cartoonists…”it” is on, the U.N. Human Rights Council says so. South Africa voted for it as well Mexico, China, Russia and of course Saudi Arabia.

from: Nieman Watchdog

Verizon, AT&T and the manipulation of public opinion

COMMENTARY | April 04, 2007

Needed: Blacks, Hispanics, disabled, deaf, low-income and the elderly to support the telecoms’ positions on anti-consumer FCC rulings and legislation.

By Bruce Kushnick