roundtable: Alliance Wins in Senate Mark-up

roundtable: Alliance Wins in Senate Mark-up

Alliance Wins in Senate Mark-up

AllianceCM@aol.com
Tue, 28 Mar 1995 13:35:03 -0500 

Date: Tue, 28 Mar 1995 13:35:03 -0500
From: AllianceCM@aol.com
Message-Id: <950328133459_63839040@aol.com>
To: roundtable@cni.org
Subject: Alliance Wins in Senate Mark-up


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE					
March 24, 1995

ALLIANCE FOR COMMUNITY MEDIA WINS VICTORY
FOR PUBLIC, EDUCATIONAL AND GOVERNMENTAL ACCESS 
IN SENATE TELECOMMUNICATIONS BILL MARKUP

     The Alliance for Community Media today applauded the inclusion of 
a public, educational, and governmental ("PEG") access provision in the 
Senate's proposed telecommunications legislation, calling it "an 
important step in providing all Americans with full access to the 
Information Superhighway." The provision was introduced as an amendment 
by Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) and approved by voice-vote during yesterday's 
markup in the Senate Commerce Committee.  Barry Forbes, Executive 
Director of the Alliance, said the amendment would ensure that PEG 
centers have low-cost access to "video dialtone" (VDT) channel capacity.  
The terms of PEG access would parallel some of the cost-related terms 
and conditions of access for broadcast television stations.  

     "It's crucial that communities continue to have public access 
services, regardless of whether they're provided by the traditional 
cable companies or the new video services soon to be offered by local 
phone companies," said Senator Kerry.  "As we open up the video 
marketplace to competition, we can't forget that the public has a right 
to use these services as well.  People fought long and hard during the 
1970's and 1980's to require cable companies to offer public access.  
I'm glad those gains won't be rolled back because of new advances in 
technology."

     "Sen. Kerry's championing this amendment is courageous in this 
Congress, when the public interest and the First Amendment are 
generally taking a back seat to the interests of large corporations," 
said Forbes.  "While we're pleased with the passage of this amendment, 
the mark-up does not go far enough to provide the same level of access 
in video dialtone that we have fought for in cable television."

     Another provision supported by the Alliance, which would require 
video dialtone providers to pay a "competitive neutrality" fee in 
accordance with state law, was introduced by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson 
(R-TX) and also passed on voice vote.  The Alliance believes that this 
provision would level the playing field between cable and VDT operators, 
and ensure that states and localities receive fair compensation for use 
of their rights of way.  "We stongly support the idea of VDT providers 
playing under the same rules as cable operators," says Forbes.  
"However, we'd still like to see some of the fees earmarked for public, 
educational and governmental access equipment, services and facilities.  
Most PEG centers run on minimal budgets of generally less than $200,000 
per year, and just about all of this comes from franchise fees.  An 
earmark would help in guarantee local, community-based programming."

     The Alliance will now focus its grass-roots campaign on the House 
of Representatives, where telecommunications legislation still awaits 
introduction by House Commerce Telecommunications Subcommittee Chairman 
Jack Fields (R-TX).  "We have met with Rep.  Fields," stated Forbes, 
"and his tone was very positive.  He assured us that he would be working 
closely with Rep.  Ed Markey, who is a staunch supporter of PEG access." 
Congressman Ed Markey (D-MA) was former Chairman of the 
Telecommunications Subcommittee and co-author with Fields of the 
telecommunications bill that ultimately passed the House.

     Forbes credited the Alliance's success to a sophisticated and 
well-timed grass-roots campaign.  "We have proven to members of the 
Senate and their staffs that we can turn out energized grass-roots 
support from both PEG access centers and the community groups they 
serve.  Congress has heard from churches, charities, Chambers of 
Commerce, local and state government officials, public schools and 
universities, libraries, Little Leagues, Rotary Clubs, and United Way 
agencies.  And the voice of the people who are already using part of 
one lane of the touted 'information superhighway' will not be stilled 
until we have guaranteed their access to all forms of 
telecommunications."

     The Alliance for Community Media is a national, non-profit 
membership organization committed to assuring everyone's access to 
electronic media.  The Alliance accomplishes this by disseminating 
public information, advancing a positive legislative and regulatory 
environment, building coalitions, and supporting local organizing.  
Founded in 1976, the Alliance represents the interests of over 950 
public, educational and governmental ("PEG") access organizations 
and local origination cable services throughout the country.  The 
Alliance also represents the interests of local religious, community, 
charitable and other organizations throughout the country who utilize 
PEG access channels and facilities to speak to their memberships and 
their larger communities.

_________________________________________________

National Office
Alliance for Community Media
666 11th Street, NW, Suite 806
Washington, DC 20001-4542

Voice:  (202) 393-2650
Fax:            (202) 393-2653
E-mail: AllianceCM @ aol.com

"Ensuring everyone's access to electronic media
since 1976."

Barry Forbes, Executive Director

"Do what's right. Do it right. Do it right now."
_________________________________________________

[CNI Home Page]