Save Access

from: Chicago Tribune

Originally posted: June 8, 2007
Glory be…

The Chicago Tribune Cable/AT&T editorial of Tuesday, June 5 ("The Illinois model") stating:

"…Glory be, the bill that sailed through the Illinois House 113-0 Friday is that rare legislative accomplishment: It ushers in competition, protects consumers and is fair to both phone and cable companies."

As the Chairman of the Board of CAN TV Chicago's public access channels, I'd like to join with the Tribune in commending the Attorney General, the House of Representatives and, specifically, the Chairman of the House Telecommunications Committee Rep. James Brosnahan, for their efforts and diligent work to preserve the rights of our Illinois citizens to public access channels or PEGS. Public, education and government broadcast channels are the channels that carry your local high school programs, public policy discussions, health care advice, education information, local government meetings and many other worthy broadcasts intended to keep us all connected in an open democratic forum.

The compromise achieved in Springfield between big cable and AT&T took months of good-faith marathon negotiations. It was a meaningful democratic process that brought the Illinois Attorney General together with municipalities, consumer advocates, public, education and government interests, telephone and cable to craft a more balanced consumer-oriented piece of legislation. The thin curtain of promises from the original legislation was pulled aside and the stage set for some meaningful protections.

House Bill 1500 appeared at the beginning of the legislative session as part of the telephone industry's push to enter the cable market. An army of lobbyists and a massive advertising campaign tried to convince legislators to support a bill that fell far short of protecting the public interest or Illinois consumers.

In states across the nation that have hastily passed statewide legislation, consumer protections have been stripped away, local government authority ended, and PEG access television harmed to the point that in a number of states, it will be completely phased out.

By the time House Bill 1500 reappeared as an amendment to SB 678, it bore little resemblance to the original bill. Public access stations were held harmless, important consumer protections were put in place, and Illinois was poised to set an example for the nation.

We want to thank Rep. James Brosnahan and Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan for allowing Chicago Access Network Television (CAN TV) a seat at the table. The changes made to the original bill are invaluable to Illinois residents.

We urge the Senate to follow the lead of the Illinois House and pass the bill so the governor can sign it and the people of Illinois can continue to enjoy their local programming on PEG Access.

Peter Skosey

Chairman of the Board of CAN T V

Chicago Access Network Television