Save Access

from: KOMU

More Funding For CAT-3

COLUMBIA - Columbia Public Access Television (CAT-3) operates on a very small budget. However, a rise in cable franchise fee rates will give CAT-3 a boost.

Although Cable Access Television does not turn a high profit, those who work on it say it is still work all the time.

from: Badger Herald

OPINION & EDITORIAL
State cable bill phoned in by AT&T

by Adi Lev-er
Wednesday, November 7, 2007

The state Senate will vote on a bill tomorrow that would deregulate the cable industry in Wisconsin. Currently, local municipalities are in control of the industry; they grant the necessary franchise contracts to cable companies. The proposed bill would transfer that control over to the state. Instead of relying on the local government to consider each cable company individually and set up a contract, the state would create a standard by which companies would be granted franchises.

from: Journal Sentinel

Lawmaker hopes to help rural cable users ease 'digital divide'

By STEVEN WALTERS
swalters@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Nov. 5, 2007

Madison - A state senator from western Wisconsin will try to rewrite a controversial cable franchise bill to require AT&T, cable and other companies to contribute up to $7.5 million to a new "digital divide" fund to make sure rural areas get the same services as cities and suburbs.

Note: An op-ed piece placed by a AT&T consultant

from: Madison.com

OPINION Letters to the Editor
Joe Mettner: Video bill is pro-consumer and supports public access

Joe Mettner — 11/05/2007 7:42 am

The Wisconsin Video Competition Act has deservedly attracted strong support from the public and legislators because the bill is pro-consumer. The recent column on the bill by John Nichols contained many serious inaccuracies that need correction. While relatively rare to read this extent of factual license in Nichols' columns, the record should be set straight concerning the purpose, content and effects of the video legislation.

from: KPFT

Urban LPFM Soon?

From Pacifica KPFT Media Notes, November 5, 2007

Here’s the take from the Prometheus Radio Project. The issues is an interesting one. Though doubtful for a full Senate vote soon, the idea of LPFM in major cities captures the imagination. The impact of such things on the signal of KPFT and other stations, as well, is intriguing. Current protections ensure broadcasters’ spectrum on the dial gets minimal interference; LPFMs, most note, will interfere with stations in some cases. However, for now, it’s a fascinating dialogue, for sure.

from: Columbia Missourian

CAT may get temporary budget in December

By EMILIE RUSCH

November 5, 2007 | 10:29 p.m. CST

COLUMBIA — By January, Columbia Access Television could finally have more stable funding — for nine months.

But once the fiscal calendar page flips from 2008 to 2009, the public access channel’s funding could be less certain.

from: Journal Sentinel

Lawmaker hopes to help rural cable users ease 'digital divide'

By STEVEN WALTERS
swalters@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Nov. 5, 2007

Madison - A state senator from western Wisconsin will try to rewrite a controversial cable franchise bill to require AT&T, cable and other companies to contribute up to $7.5 million to a new "digital divide" fund to make sure rural areas get the same services as cities and suburbs.

from: Bain-Blog

Cable Competition Bill in Wisconsin Passes Joint Finance Committee

November 1, 2007


Yesterday, the Joint Finance Committee voted 13-3 in favor of the so-called cable competition bill (AB207/SB107). Unfortunately, Wisconsin is on path to pass a bill that is more friendly to AT&T than us as consumers. It also threatens funding for PEG stations such as OCAT.

In response, I sent a letter to the members of the JFC asking the legislators why Wisconsin citizens and communities deserve less than our neighbors in Illinois? I also urged them and their colleagues to support a bill that protects Wisconsin public access television and the rights of Wisconsin consumers. Now, I urge you to do the same.

Contact Senator Roessler and Representatives Hintz and Owens and ask them to support OCAT and Wisconsin consumers by supporting an “Illinois version” of the bill in Wisconsin.

For more information, check out the Save Access Wisconsin Web site.

-Bryan

UPDATE: (Courtesy of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign)

“For the nearly four months that the state budget stalemate dragged on, we saw the Legislature at its worst. We are seeing it again with the mad rush to pass AT&T’s cable TV bill. When you’d think our elected officials would insist that AT&T give Wisconsin a cable deal at least as good as the company agreed to in Illinois, lawmakers here seem to have been rendered blind, deaf and dumb by AT&T’s public relations and lobbying blitz.”

“A front group for the company, TV4Us, has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on TV ads promoting AT&T’s position. The company has spent more than $200,000 on lobbying at the Capitol so far this session, and has given current legislators and the governor more than $352,000 in campaign contributions including over $28,000 in the first half of the year while the bill was being prepared for introduction and sailed through the Assembly.”

“Then just a few days ago, AT&T and its allies released a poll aimed at sealing the deal in the Senate. After you read the poll results, read a little about the polling firm, which prides itself on shaping public opinion rather than measuring it.”

“AT&T’s bill passed the Assembly on a 66-28 vote in early May and then was just approved by the Joint Finance Committee 13-3 on Wednesday. It has been scheduled for a vote in the full Senate next Thursday. So far, lawmakers haven’t been willing to do what even some of the proposal’s original backers have been doing … namely reading the bill’s fine print and looking at AT&T’s track record on keeping past promises. That’s leading to second thoughts. To see what we mean, go here and here.”

Note: There's much to find fault with in Ashcroft's op-ed below, most notably the recent revelation by ex-Qwest CEO that the NSA sought wiretap access before 9.11.

From: NY Times

November 5, 2007
Op-Ed Contributor
Uncle Sam on the Line

By JOHN ASHCROFT

Note: Reclaim the Media in Seattle is organizing for the hearing and is holding workshops all this week to help people prepare to give testimony.

from: TV Newsday

FCC Sets Ownership Hearing for Seattle