Untangling the next Telecom Act
In These Times
by Craig Aaron
03/02/06
The last thing that the network giants want is for the public to realize what's going on -- which is why it's never been more important to speak out. If what they say about those who fail to learn from history is true, it’s troubling that the 10th anniversary of the Telecommunications Act just passed with barely a blip outside the business pages. The 1996 Act is the quintessential example of corrupt media policymaking. Hashed out behind closed doors by industry lobbyists with almost no public input, the bill killed local radio, gave away the public airwaves worth billions to the biggest media companies for free, and spawned a wave of consolidation that left consumers with higher prices and fewer choices. At the time, most citizens -- or even members of Congress -- had no idea what the massive legislation contained. This was no surprise: In the nine months before the bill passed, the major networks aired only 12 stories about it -- totaling 19 minutes. Big media companies, of course, were among the bill’s biggest beneficiaries. Congress is reopening the Telecom Act again -- and this time the future of the Internet is at risk...
http://www.inthesetimes.com/site/main/article/2524/
Informant: Thomas L. Knapp
by Craig Aaron
03/02/06
The last thing that the network giants want is for the public to realize what's going on -- which is why it's never been more important to speak out. If what they say about those who fail to learn from history is true, it’s troubling that the 10th anniversary of the Telecommunications Act just passed with barely a blip outside the business pages. The 1996 Act is the quintessential example of corrupt media policymaking. Hashed out behind closed doors by industry lobbyists with almost no public input, the bill killed local radio, gave away the public airwaves worth billions to the biggest media companies for free, and spawned a wave of consolidation that left consumers with higher prices and fewer choices. At the time, most citizens -- or even members of Congress -- had no idea what the massive legislation contained. This was no surprise: In the nine months before the bill passed, the major networks aired only 12 stories about it -- totaling 19 minutes. Big media companies, of course, were among the bill’s biggest beneficiaries. Congress is reopening the Telecom Act again -- and this time the future of the Internet is at risk...
http://www.inthesetimes.com/site/main/article/2524/
Informant: Thomas L. Knapp
rudkla - 3. Mär, 17:12
