Save Access Update:In 2005, DFNYC endorsed the plan to "Save Access" Televison. We have good news to report and you can take action! On March 1st, New York City council members Gail Brewer, Melinda Katz, Helen Foster, Letitia James and Miguel Martinez proposed City Council Resolution 136 opposing any legislation that would dismantle the local franchises that pay for Public Access TV.

Unfortunately there is bad news as well in early in March, House Energy and Commerce Committee chairman Joe Barton and leading members of the Committee announced they are close to releasing new telecommunications legislation that would replace local franchises with a national franchise. Day-to-day it is hard to tell how this legislation will fare. Some insiders think this legislation will be voted on before the summer, others think it will take longer. We need to stay active and keep getting our message of support for Public Access TV to our politicians and the public!

In addition to jeopardizing Public Access TV, this legislation would take millions of dollars of franchise fees from local communities; fees video-service companies pay in exchange for running their cables on publicly owned streets. In early February the NYC Independent Budget Office (IBO) issued a report indicating that NYC receives over $75 million annually in telecommunication franchise-fees. All of this money could be jeopardized by this national legislation.

TAKE ACTION:

You voted unanimously to oppose congressional bills S.1504 (Broadband Investment and Consumer Choice Act) and H.R. 3146/S.1349 (Video Choice Act of 2005). Although the purported goal of this legislation is to allow competition between cable and telephone companies, the legislation includes provisions with disastrous side effects - a potential end to local public access. This could end silence valuable voices in the independent and end programs such as Democracy Now with Amy Goodman.

These bills will:

• End the franchise agreements that make public access television possible

  Save Access Update: In 2005, DFNYC endorsed the plan to "Save Access" Televison. We have good news to report and you can take action! On March 1st, New York City council members Gail Brewer, Melinda Katz, Helen Foster, Letitia James and Miguel Martinez proposed City Council Resolution 136 opposing any legislation that would dismantle the local franchises that pay for Public Access TV.

  Unfortunately there is bad news as well in early in March, House Energy and Commerce Committee chairman Joe Barton and leading members of the Committee announced they are close to releasing new telecommunications legislation that would replace local franchises with a national franchise. Day-to-day it is hard to tell how this legislation will fare. Some insiders think this legislation will be voted on before the summer, others think it will take longer. We need to stay active and keep getting our message of support for Public Access TV to our politicians and the public!

  In addition to jeopardizing Public Access TV, this legislation would take millions of dollars of franchise fees from local communities; fees video-service companies pay in exchange for running their cables on publicly owned streets. In early February the NYC Independent Budget Office (IBO) issued a report indicating that NYC receives over $75 million annually in telecommunication franchise-fees. All of this money could be jeopardized by this national legislation.

  TAKE ACTION:

  Find city council member.

  If your council member has already co-sponsored the resolution, be sure to thank them. View a list of current co-sponsors

  Click here to read the resolution.

  ---

  You voted unanimously to oppose congressional bills S.1504 (Broadband Investment and Consumer Choice Act) and H.R. 3146/S.1349 (Video Choice Act of 2005). Although the purported goal of this legislation is to allow competition between cable and telephone companies, the legislation includes provisions with disastrous side effects - a potential end to local public access. This could end silence valuable voices in the independent and end programs such as Democracy Now with Amy Goodman.

  These bills will:

  • End the franchise agreements that make public access television possible
    Public Access, Educational, and Governmental (PEG) TV is funded by local franchise fees that cable companies pay in exchange for permission to lay cable lines on public space. S.1504 would end franchise agreements, thus ending funding for public access.
    

  • End local control
    Municipalities will no longer have the ability to regulate communications. For example, local governments will have no authority over where companies may place new cell phone towers. The FCC will be responsible for all oversight.
    

  • End municipal broadband services
    Many rural municipalities have created public broadband networks to serve their communities. These bills will restrict local governments from providing broadband services that cable and telephone companies provide. The net result will be to remove low-cost public networks and force consumers to pay higher fees.
    

  • Boost corporate media over independent media
    Public access serves as a forum for independent thought, free speech, and community services. By silencing community voices, this legislation will continue the consolidation of right-wing corporate control over media.
  
  

  Here's what you can do:

  • Call/write the following representatives and urge them to oppose H.R.3146.
    

    Rep	Washington Office	Local Office
    Jerrold Nadler	202-225-5635	212-367-7350
    Nydia Velaszquez	718-599-3659	212-673-3997
    Carolyn Maloney*	202-225-7944	212-860-0606
    Charles Rangel	202-225-4365	212-663-3900
    Joseph Crowley*	202-225-3965
    Gregory Meeks*	202-225-3461

    * Reps Maloney, Crowley, and Meeks are co-sponsoring the legislation. It is especially critical to voice your opinion to them.
    
    • Call/write your congressional representatives and urge them to oppose H.R.3146. Call/write your senators and urge them to oppose S.1504 and S.1349. To get the name and contact information of your representative, see our Contact Your Representative page.
      

    • Contact your city councilmember and urge him/her to sponsor a city council resolution against ending local franchising and control. To get the name and contact information of your local city council member, see our Contact Your Representative page.
      

    • Keep up to date by visiting the Save Access! Campaign at the Manhattan Neighborhood Network site http://www.mnn.org/saveaccess or at the Alliance for Community Media http://www.alliancecm.org/.
      

    Read the full text of S 1504

    Read the full text of HR 3146

    Read the summary of HR 3146

    Read the full text of S 1349

    Read the summary of S 1349

    (legacy node 87260)