For Immediate Release
March 23, 2009
Contact: Art Brodsky Public Knowledge (202-518-0020 office)
(301-908-7715 cell)
Beth McConnell -- Media and Democracy Coalition (267-918-7207)
Public Interest Groups Criticize Privatization of Broadband Mapping
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, according to a new report issued by Common Cause,
the Media and Democracy Coalition, Public Knowledge and Reclaim the Media.
The report is found here: http://www.publicknowledge.org/node/2037 [1].
Connected Nation conducts mapping and broadband demand surveys around the
country through subsidiary organizations. It started as Connect Kentucky,
and has repeatedly told a story of its successes there and around the
country in measuring broadband deployment and creating demand for the
service.
According to the report, Privatizing the Public Trust: A Critical Look at
Connected Nation, it would be a setback for our broadband policy if
Connected Nation were to take a prominent role in broadband mapping and data
collection if it continues on its present policy course because the
organization does not represent wise public policy and because it distorts
its results.
The report argues that Connected Nation's policy restricts the collection
and use of information gathered from the telecom companies and other
incumbents that make up its board. Quite simply, Connected Nation's
strategy is to accept public funds for collecting information from its
sponsors which is then kept largely private, hidden behind strict
non-disclosure agreements (NDA). This privatized data gathered with public
money is a violation of the public trust.
The report also argues that Connected Nation has overstated its
achievements: Despite some states and Federal embrace of the Connected
Nation model as the ideal approach to promoting broadband deployment and
adoption, there is absolutely no proof whatsoever that their program
actually produces positive benefits, whether from outside evaluators or from
Connected Nation itself.
Gigi B. Sohn, president and co-founder of Public Knowledge, said, NTIA
should make certain that the mapping is done in the public interest, and not
in the private interest. The telecommunications industry must not be able
to dictate the information on which broadband policy will be based.
Beth McConnell, executive director of the Media and Democracy Coalition,
said, Connected Nation's approach is out of sync with the public¹s demand
for transparency and accountability in governing and spending of public
dollars. If policy makers truly care about improving U.S. broadband
competitiveness, they should reject Connected Nation's involvement.
Jon Bartholomew, associate director of media reform for Common Cause, said,
"Broadband mapping is to be used in the public interest, and this paper
shows that Connected Nation has a history of using this process for their
own interest at the expense of the public. Broadband is too important for
the future of our democracy and economy to allow Connected Nation to subvert
the public interest."
Public Knowledge is a Washington, D.C.-based public interest group working
to defend citizens' rights in the emerging digital culture. More information
available is available at: http://www.publicknowledge.org [2]
The Media and Democracy Coalition is a collaboration of over two dozen local
and national organizations committed to promoting open and equal access to a
democratic media system that serves the public interest. More information:
http://www.media-democracy.net [2]
Common Cause is a nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy organization founded in
1970 by John Gardner as a vehicle for citizens to make their voices heard in
the political process and to hold their elected leaders accountable to the
public interest. http://www.commoncause.org [3]
Reclaim the Media is a small nonprofit organization dedicated to pursuing a
more just society by transforming our media system and expanding the
communications rights of ordinary people through grassroots organizing,
education, networking and advocacy. http://www.reclaimthemedia.org/ [4]