Coalition for Networked Information 
Information Policies:  A Compilation of Position Statements, Principles,
Statutes, and Other Pertinent Statements


The National Public Telecomputing 
Network (NPTN)

Box 1987
Cleveland, OH 44106
216-368-2733
electronic mail address: aa622@cleveland.freenet.edu

Source: T.M. Grundner, President, National Public 
Telecomputing Network, Cleveland, OH, August 4, 1991

Mission Statement

The National Public Telecomputing Network (NPTN) is a non- profit organization dedicated to establishing and developing free, public access, computerized information and communication services for the general public.

To that end, specific functions have been formulated in four major areas:

1. To assist in establishing free, open access, community computer systems by making available the technical expertise and software necessary to develop and operate community computer systems virtually anywhere. (For example, NPRN community computer software is available to qualified parties for $1 a year.)

2. To link those systems together into a common network similar to National Public Radio or PBS on T.V. (As of July 1991, NPTN has affiliated systems operating in five cities, with another 12 cities scheduled to go online in the next year.)

3. To establish networkwide electronic mail and "cybercasting" services. (Cybercasting refers to the regular dissemination of information and communication services to NPTN affiliates. These services function like network feeds in the radio and television industry, where local station programming is supplemented on a regular basis by high quality network programs. Examples would include: Project Hermes, U.S. Supreme Court Decisions; the Congressional Memory, reports on legislation in Congress; USA TODAY electronic news service, NOAA Weather Reports, etc.)

4. To establish networkwide special services and programs which take advantage of the unique strengths of telecomputing as a medium. (Examples would include: Academy One, our K-12 education network; and the Teledemocracy Project.)

Statement of Principles

What We Believe:

If the core beliefs of the National Public Telecomputing Network were to be summarized in one sentence, it would be this: We believe that everyone in a society has a right to access the primary information resources of that society via the best means available.

More specificly, as Citizens of an Information Age:

1. We believe that access to information is a fundamental right of every person in a democracy.

2. We believe that the extent to which an individual's access to primary information and communication is enhanced, is the extent to which that person is enhanced as an individual, and society is strengthened as a whole.

3. We believe that information equity--the right of all people to benefit from Information Age technology--must be developed as a national priority.

4. We believe information equity requires that basic computerized information services be developed as universal community-wide utilities.

5. We believe information equity requires that basic Information Age skills be taught universally in our secondary schools and colleges.

6. We believe information equity requires universal low or no cost access to the minimal technology necessary to reach basic information services.

7. We believe that ongoing systematic development of public information and communication services must be of the highest priority--including the development of publicly accessible national and international communication linkages.

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info@cni.org