Save Access

Alas, objective and critical thinking always lands one a leftist label. Fortunately, we're accustomed to that when we venture into the dark side of american political discourse and the media industrial comlplex.

from: Spring City Chronicle

Cable: Point/Counterpoint

Introductions: Mr. Wineke, please meet Mr. Bobby Rush, perhaps your personal foundations have a mutual interest?

from: Madison.com

State Democratic Party chief registers as lobbyist for AT&T on cable-TV bill WSJ

The chairman of the state Democratic Party has registered as a lobbyist for telecommunications giant AT&T, which is pushing for the Legislature to pass a bill that would ease its entrance into the state's cable TV market, the Associated Press reported this afternoon.

from: River Falls journal

Editorial: Keep an eye out for your local cable-TV station

Phil Pfuehler
River Falls Journal - 05/03/2007

Debate on a state bill that may boost competition among video service providers goes on in Madison. The aim, bill supporters say, is to give consumers more choices — cable, Internet and phone services — at lower prices.

from: Hudson Star Observer

Cable TV bill has two sides

Editorial staff, Hudson Star-Observer
Published Thursday, May 03, 2007

Cable television has been brought into the spotlight recently with a state bill that appears to be designed to lower cable TV rates. Local officials across the state, however, are concerned that the new bill could take away most local control of cable franchises. The new bill also may jeopardize local cable access stations, and that has city officials worried.

from: Multichannel News

Wisconsin Video Franchise Bill Includes DBS

April 30, 2007

The Wisconsin State Assembly tentatively approved a state franchising bill that contains a clause that will include direct-broadcast satellite providers under the state’s customer-service rules.

The Assembly vote was Apr

from: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

State bills may turn off public access TV
Stations could be forced to close or cut programs

By ANNYSA JOHNSON
anjohnson@journalsentinel.com
Posted: April 28, 2007

West Allis - For 25 years, the West Allis Community Media Center's public access Channel 14 has been a window on the world of this Milwaukee County city.

from: The Capital Times

Charles Uphoff: Don't fall for propaganda on cable franchise bill

By Charles Uphoff

Is the Wisconsin Legislature being hijacked?

Lobbyists for telecommunications giant AT&T have been pressuring Wisconsin legislators to pass sweeping changes in the laws regulating cable TV with a million-dollar media campaign and behind the scenes arm-twisting that would make Karl Rove blush.

from: Sheboygan Press

For the bill: www.wewantchoice.com
Against the bill: www.saveaccesswisconsin.org

Posted April 27, 2007

Opinions split on cable TV bill
Lower rates may also lead to less local control

By Eric Litke
Sheboygan Press staff

A state bill nearing approval that could lower cable TV rates may also take away nearly all local control of cable franchises, which has city officials worried.

from: Waxing America

AT&T Bill Rammed Through Wisconsin Assembly; Senate Follows the Law and Refers Bill to Joint Finance

In a marathon session yesterday, the Republican-controlled Wisconsin Assembly defeated over two dozen Democratic-sponsored amendments on party-line votes and passed AT&T's "video competition" bill, AB 207. The Senate, on the other hand, followed state law and referred SB 107, its version of the bill, to the Joint Finance Committee for consideration of the costs to the taxpayers of Wisconsin.

from: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

State Agencies Would Handle TV Complaints Under Video Bill

April 24, 2007
By Steven Walters

If you’ve been griping to city or village officials about cable TV service problems, get ready to take your complaints instead to someone in state government in Madison.