Local Public Access Channels Struggling for Fair Access

The following is an excerpt from Democracy Now.

AT&T Accused of Discriminating Against Local Public Access Channels, Deadline for Public Comment Expires Tonight

Community media groups are accusing the telecom giant AT&T of discriminating against local public access channels across the nation, and the deadline for public comment is midnight tonight. The dispute centers around how AT&T delivers public television stations to customers. Instead of putting the stations on individual channels, AT&T has bundled community stations onto a generic channel that can only be navigated through a complex and lengthy process. Public television advocates say AT&T is imposing unfair restrictions that will severely restrict audiences.

Community media groups are accusing the telecom giant AT&T of discriminating against local public access channels across the nation, and the deadline for public comment is midnight tonight. The dispute centers around how AT&T delivers public television stations to customers. Instead of putting the stations on individual channels, AT&T has bundled community stations onto a generic channel that can only be navigated through a complex and lengthy process. Public television advocates say AT&T is imposing unfair restrictions that will severely restrict audiences.

The groups have filed a regulatory challenge against AT&T with the Federal Communications Commission. And a House Appropriations subcommittee has also asked the FCC to look into the allegations. A public comment period ends at midnight eastern time tonight.

I’m joined now by three guests who have been active in seeking fair access for community media.

Joining me from Chicago is Barbara Popovic. She’s Executive Director of Chicago Access Corporation–CAN TV.

Joining me on the telephone from Palo Alto, California is Annie Folger. She’s Executive Director of Midpeninsula Community Media Center, serving the Bay Area. And on the line from Sacramento is Sue Buske. She’s president of the Buske Group, a Sacramento-based telecommunications consulting firm. Sue is also the former head of the National Federation of Local Cable Programmers, now known as the Alliance for Community Media.

We asked representatives of AT&T to appear on the broadcast but they did not respond to our request.

Barbara Popovic, Executive Director of Chicago Access Corporation–CAN TV–in Chicago.

Annie Folger, Executive Director of Midpeninsula Community Media Center in Palo Alto, California.

Sue Buske, President of the Buske Group, a Sacramento-based telecommunications consulting firm. Former head of the National Federation of Local Cable Programmers, now known as the Alliance for Community Media.

~ Faith