What's New

On June 8th 2009, the Media and Democracy Coalition filed brief comments with the Federal Communications Commission on the National Broadband Plan, which will be issued by the FCC in February 2010. 

The comments summarize recommendations MDC members will make in a full report, to be released in July 2009.  This forthcoming report was developed from the ground-up, involving local community groups in the policy setting process from the start, and linking them with allies at DC-based policy groups.  The comments and report stress:

• the Internet as tool to ensure the fundamental rights of all to communicate;
• the need for verifiable and transparent data to drive the broadband policy process;
• the importance of locally-owned networks, as well as competition;
• the need for wiser use of public resources such as spectrum and rights of way;
• that digital inclusion programs must be a critical part of U.S. broadband policy.

 

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The Media and Democracy Coalition brought together diverse organizations to file comments with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on the best way to design the broadband stimulus program in the public interest.  You can read the comments here.

On Monday, March 23, the Coalition joined with Common Cause, Public Knowledge, Reclaim the Media, and several local partners to release a report which argues that the $350 million broadband mapping program required by the recent stimulus bill would be set back if there is widespread participation in it by a group called Connected Nation.

Read the press release and download the full report in .pdf format.

On Tuesday, March 24, Coalition Executive Director Beth McConnell testified at Department of Commerce hearing on the Broadband Technology Opportunity Program.  In her testimony, Ms. McConnell said, "First, how do we ensure that broadband stimulus grantees are held accountable to the goals of the Recovery Act?  Second, how can we ensure that grantees are complying with the rules and agreements?  To address both, we need clear and concrete objectives focused on adoption in grant agreements, making it possible to track successes and shortcomings; strong rules to prevent grantees from abusing the public trust; and good data, so policy makers and the public can assess the impact of the projects."

Read a transcript of the entire testimony.

 

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Member Spotlight

Future of Music Coalition
The Future of Music Coalition is a not-for-profit collaboration between members of the music, technology, public policy and intellectual property law communities. The FMC seeks to educate the media, policymakers, and the public about music / technology issues, while also bringing together diverse voices in an effort to come up with creative solutions to some of the challenges in this space.

 

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Upcoming Events

April 22-25: National Conference of State Legislatures- Spring Forum, Washington, DC

April 22-25: LPFM Leadership Days, Washington, DC

April 20-21:  Politics Online, Washington, DC

May 1:  LCCR Awards Dinner, Washington, DC