Along with the Aliance for Community Media, I would encourage everyone to notify the FCC and speak out about their attempt to circumvent congress!

Four Steps to Being Heard

Below are the actions which we would ask that you take by 5 PM EST Wednesday, December 13th. We hope that you will take all of the actions, but understand fully how busy you may be. Therefore, we have listed the actions in order of importance and effect.

Step 1

Call each of the FCC commission offices using the attached script as-is or modified as needed.

Step 2

File your official record of the call(s). This is called “Notice of ex parte meeting” and goes into the official record. Web address is listed in instructions below.

Step 3

With one click, you can email your ex parte letter and comments to the FCC and Congress using our auto-mailer linked to the Alliance home page www.alliancecm.org.

Step 4

Fax a copy of the same ex-parte letter to your three Congress members.

[Note: The multiple exposures to our message are intentional.]

The attached support materials have all of the text and instructions you need. However, if there is anything unclear to you, please feel free to email or call any of the following Public Policy members:

Alan Bushong alan@cctvsalem.org 503.588.2288

Anthony Riddle raiseeveryvoice@yahoo.com 202.393.2650

Carl Kucharski carl@pcmtv.org 503.528.2244

Cor Wilson cwilson@ctv15.org 651.482.1261

Rob Brading rbrading@mctv.org

Rob McCausland rghm@verizon.net

Sean McLaughlin seanm707@yahoo.com

Sue Buske sue@buskegroup.com 916.441.6277

Tony Vigue ctam@usa.net 207.767.7615

Step 1: Call the FCC

[Estimated Time: 2 minutes per call]

We want large numbers of short calls. You are not asked to be experts, merely to weigh in on the matter of video franchising and PEG. This will likely take less than two minutes. When you call, you will likely be referred to voicemail. Whether you get voicemail or are graced with a real conversation, the script is the basically the same. This is a formal process, so it is okay to read from a script. Feel free to make it fit your needs. It’s your call. They have to listen.

Hello, my name is [Name]. I am [Title/Relationship] for [Organization or Community] located in [City and State].

I am calling about MB 05-311 on video franchising. The following are our concerns:

We unite with Alliance for Community Media members in calling for competition without destruction of local, community controlled media.

1) The proposed rule eliminates incentive for providers to negotiate in good faith. If the city and the provider do not come to agreement in 90 days, the new provider can proceed without agreement. They can then make billions of dollars in our public land without considering local needs.

2) The proposed rule lacks a remedy for geographic discrimination. Public, Education and Government Access, or PEG, are tools to engage our local communities in democracy. Democratic participation should be for all, not based on a company business rule.

3) The proposed rule reduces the support for PEG, institutional networks and other in-kind services from that allowed by current Federal law. It is in direct contradiction to language written by the telephone companies and already passed in key states. This reduction would eliminate a valued community resource with no demonstrated effect on either price or competition.

4) The changes being proposed are dramatic and over-step the FCC’s authority. We believe that such changes to the law should be made by Congress, not the FCC. These changes will slow competition by confusing the legal framework. Changes to the law should be decided by law-makers, not the FCC.

I can be reached at [Phone or Email]. Thank you for your consideration.

###

Commissioner	Media Aide	Phone Number
MacDowell	Christina Pauze (paw-ZAY)	202-418-0144
Tate	Chris Robbins	202-418-2500
Chairman Martin	Heather Dixon	202-418-1000
Adelstein	Rudy Brioche (bree-o-SHAY)	202-418-2300
Copps	Bruce Gottlieb	202-418-2000

Step 2: Filing an Official Call Record (Ex Parte)

[Estimated Time: 5 Minutes]

1) Cut and paste the letter below into a blank Word, WordPerfect or PDF document. It may be completely blank or may be electronic stationery. Save.

2) Fill in and edit as appropriate.

3) Go to the filing page: http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/upload_v2.cgi

4) Fill out the cover sheet information, including:

a. #1: fill in “05-311”

b. #11: do check box

c. #12: pull menu down to “notice”

5) In the green section, type “ex parte notice” for file description.

6) In the green section, use “Browse” button to attach your letter file.

7) In the green section, use pull down menu to identify letter format.

8) Hit Send. [Note: Correspondence is appropriately addressed to “Secretary” Dortch.]

9) Done!

###

[Date]

Ex Parte

Ms. Marilyn Dortch, Secretary

Federal Communications Commission

445 12^th Street, S.W.

Washington, DC 20554

Re: Implementation of Section 621(a)(1) of the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984 as amended by the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992, MB Docket No. 05-311

Dear Ms. Dortch,

This notice is to record our ex parte meeting(s) with [FCC Commissioners or staff names]. We stated our concerns [directly via phone or via voicemail] on [date(s)]. Our comments are summarized as follows:

We unite with Alliance for Community Media members in calling for competition without destruction of local, community controlled media.

1) The proposed rule eliminates incentive for providers to negotiate in good faith. If the city and the provider do not come to agreement within 90 days, the provider can proceed without an agreement. They can then make billions of dollars using our public land without considering local needs. This framework would be unreasonable.

2) The proposed rule lacks a remedy for geographic discrimination. Public, Education and Government Access, or PEG, are tools to engage our local communities in democracy. Democratic participation should be for all, not based on a company business rule. The public-right-of-way is owned by all in our community, not just those in an area lucky enough to be served. We believe that inevitable market imbalances must be anticipated by the FCC, as they were by Congress, and that any rule-making must provide these three elements:

A) A standard for identifying imbalances in service.

B) A party responsible for identifying the imbalance—logically, the municipality.

C) A means for prevention or remedy of the imbalance.

3) The proposed rule reduces the support for PEG or other community media services from what is allowed by current Federal law. We believe this is an arbitrary reduction which will hurt our communities. It is in direct contradiction to language authored by telephone companies and already passed in key states such as California and Texas. This reduction would eliminate a valued community resource with no demonstrated effect on either subscriber price or level of competition.

4) The changes being proposed to the law are dramatic. We believe that such changes to the law should be made by Congress, not the FCC. These changes will slow competition by confusing the legal framework. Such changes should be decided by law-makers, not the courts. The FCC should not usurp Congressional authority.

We look forward to working with the FCC to establish a process which supports both competition and community fairness. Please contact us if you have questions or comments.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Title and/or Affiliation]

[Street Address]

[City, State Zip]

[Phone]

[Email Address]

CC: Christina Pauze

Chris Robbins

Heather Dixon

Rudy Brioche

Bruce Gottlieb

My Congressional Delegation

Step 3: Email copies to your Congressional delegation.

[Estimated time: 2 Minutes]

With one click, you should email your ex-parte letter or other comments to the FCC and Congress using our auto mailer at:

http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/ACM/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=6173.

This direct link is also posted on the Alliance home page.

All you have to do is cut and paste your letter from Step 2 above into our easy auto-mailer. It will go automatically to your Senators and Representative.

Step 4: Fax a copy of the same letter to your Congress delegation.

[Estimated time: 5 Minutes]

Fax a copy of the same ex-parte letter to your three Congress members. A physical document in the office is more powerful than email alone.

The current fax numbers will follow on separate email and will be posted on Alliance website, thereafter. We will issue a similar document for the new, 110^th Congress when available.

[Note: The multiple exposures to our message are intentional.]

Dear Tactical Media People,

Here are the notes from our November 16th meeting:

Charlotte says: Update on projects is tonights discussion.
Fred says: Discussion of announcements involving due dates, and questions:
1.Do we need to make any corrections for this class (issues anyone)?
2.Why aren't we focusing on national policies at all?
3.Steve says: When are the screenings going to happen? Matt L.'s Screening is happening December 14th. Everyone needs to meet here at 5:30 PM.
Other screenings maybe in the next semester.

Updates:

Jay has a ready color-printed flier for the Video Workshop date and events.

Pam says: The dates and times and the room are reserved for the Video Workshop.

Party: People are talking about having our social party at the Double-Tree Guest Suites near Umass Boston.

Due Dates IMPORTANT so in everything is in bold:

Note: First, sign up on the Tactical Media Wiki! Jason will help you out with this.

Post the definitions that we've been talking about (on the handouts sheet) by: December 7th, 2006.
Fred wants to see everyone's definitions of the terms (everyone's individual definition of each term) on the Tactical Media Wiki.
Jonell is going to have information up on the Tactical Media Wiki in a seperate category from the terms, by: November 30th, 2006.
Everyone should make corrections, arguments, or additions of each others submissions. These should not be made in the same place as the Dec. 7th definitions, they should be commented on in a separate place on the Wiki which the Wiki group will create for all of us. AND everyone, together, should come up with a definition of what Community Media means and post that on a separate place on the Wiki by: December 14th, 2006.
Read Chapters 1 and 2 in the book and put up 3 critical questions that you have from the reading on the Tactical Media Wiki by: Next class, November 30th, 2006 please.

Enrollment (registration for classes) opens on November 27th , 2006. You need to register by January 1st, 2007 to avoid the late fee. On January 18th, classes will be canceled that don't have enough students that are enrolled in them.

Tactical Media Minutes for November 9, 2006
Notes: Steve
Facilitator: Charlotte

AGENDA
1)Housekeeping
2)Group project report
3)Discussion on election and its implications for communications policy

HOUSEKEEPING
-Please see Jay for notes/facilitation sign-up to ensure that we have folks filling the two roles for the remainder of the semester.
-Reality check: next week we will take 20-30 minutes to assess where we stand both collectively and individually given that the semester is winding down.
-Reminder: CMT students have priority use of the video/editing room. It is a good idea to familiarize oneself with its resources.
http://www.cmt-vmr.blogspot.com/
>Sign-up to use the room for extended time periods and check out equipment with Peter Adams. There will be a potential competency available for conducting and documenting a full video/editing room inventory (see Fred).
-Be sure to read the first two chapters of the class text Community Media: A Global Perspective by Ellie Rennie. This is a prelude to the Media and Community Building Competency.

GROUP PROJECT REPORTS
-Collaborative Media/Wiki Group
>little to report as things are moving slowly
>basic introduction to the wiki is complete and more substantive instruction will commence next week.
-Video Production Group
>Dates: November 30 and December 7 are solid. Hours are 3pm to 5pm.
>the Taylor Center is reserved for the event.
>insertion in the Mass Media calender is in process as well as the flyer promoting the event.
>Jay will have a to-do list up on the blog.
-Screening
>Matt Landry and co. will be presenting a documentary on citizen journalism on December 14 in the Taylor Center from 630-730pm. Please specify if anone has issue with extended time slot that Matt requested. The documentary is only 14 minutes long and will be followed by a Q&A period.
-Future Project
>all in the Tactical Media Group will be required to do an independent project that Fred will detail next week in terms of possibilities.
>here is on option(to be done preferrably this semester by up to 2 students).
>>Research who the new communications policy leaders are, post-election, at both the state and federal levels. Then discuss the potential shift in policy. Fred and Jason will lend support. Jonell has expressed interest. If anyone else is interested they should speak with Fred.
ELECTION AND IMPLICATIONS
-we had an open dialogue on election results and what the various thoughts were. If you haven't done so, read Jason's op-ed in the Mass Media entitled, Thoughts on Election Day.
-Here are some of the topics flying around the Taylor Center during our interchange of opinions.
>Whose right? Whose left?
>>Don't be too quick in categorizing Democrats as the keepers of the progressive faith. Some indeed are, while others may offer up some surprises.
>The failure of Question #2
>>fusion voting, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_fusion
>>list voting, http://www.fairvote.org/pr/whatis.htm
>>the inherent kink in the american electoral process(in addition to slander campaigns and voter intimidation and psychotic state differentiated voting processes) is the barrier to initiating a party. The parliamentary system significantly differs in that parties are easier to start and are represented in accordance to the respective percentage of votes won.
>The Progressive Era, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_Era
>What do voters consider important when voting for a particular candidate?
>>issues possibly, however, personality and looks are crucial factors that often transcend issues.
>Why did Deval win?
>>did he play it safe?
>>did he stay away from from "heavy" issues and intuit the weakness of Healey both on issues as well as aesthetics?
>The Kennedy/Nixon Debate of 1960, http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/K/htmlK/kennedy-nixon/kennedy-nixon.htm
>The new role of federal legislation
>>policy changes may be forthcoming as different appointees present different perspectives on the issues at hand(ex. Stevens Bill)
>>federal legislation may in fact transform itself towards a more favorable climate in terms of the public interest and thus therfore change the strategy of those involved in media activism.

I found this Free, Interactive Course in Studio and Field Production ! I have only reviewed the site, but it looks pretty good. Thought people might be inerested in it.

Notes for 11/2/06
Facilitator-Jay Cleary
Notes-Pam Ross
We welcomed a guest to the meeting, Nicole Agusti, who is in the Public Policy Graduate Program with Jason.
First on the agenda was an update of projects being planned by Tactical Media Group. Charlotte gave the overview of our meeting for the Video Production workshop, which included Bruce Lundeen, Steve, Jay, Charlotte, Pam and Yianno. It is being planned as a two parter, first on Nov.30th from 3-5PM to cover production techniques and hands on experience with equipment. The second workshop, possibly on Dec.7th, will cover storytelling and editing techniqe. Group assignments: Steve will check out reserving the space for workshop, Jay will work on the flyer, Charlotte will contact the newspaper for advertising, and Pam will get a list of CMT students from Fred so that we can get them involved for their video production competency if they need it.
Fred wants us to define our audience and decide if we will keep it on campus, set limits for attendence and set up an RSVP on list serve.
Jason held a meeting for the Collaborative Media project with Guled in attendence. There is some conflict in meeting times for projects, limiting attendence, so Jason suggested we set them up to be at different times, in case same people want to be involved in both. The plan is to set up our own WIKI contain community media info and definition that we can then contribute to Wikipedia, as of yet there are no defnitions for comunity media, only refers to public access. Jason will check out the necessary software, interfaces, etc. Sequoia located a server we can use if needed.
Guled had info re: tactica media @ wikispaces.com-- temp. username :tacticalmedia
password: tactical if you want to go and check it out.
Second item; Scheduling. Steve has been in contact w/ Matt re: the short documentary done at CCTV, wants to screen for our class and Fred would like to see us open it up to public as well. Steve will talk to Matt again re: his availability. Dec.7 is a possibility.
Fred asked if anyone is interested in writing articles for Mass Media; possible topics would be net neutrality, policy. Jason and Fred discuss if writings should be op-eds or as a column, should meet academic standards and would meet competency requirements.
Clarification re: competencies from Fred: Multimedia class next semester with Nettrice Gaskin should be taken by CMT majors. Competencies will be met if we participate in projects, post to blog, participate in discussion. There are four all together and can be achieved over two semesters. Fred will be asking us to do some specific assignments from Community Media book and we should be getting our definitions together as noted in curriculum outline on Fred's blog. These will be included on our wiki and possibly then contributed to Wikipedia. He would like to present this at Media Reform conference that he will attend in Memphis in January. Watch for changes and assigments in Fred's syllabus.
Policy: we updated Fred about where we went in discussion week prior in his absence. That info is posted in notes from that week. In addition we talked about following movement of policy when comes up next session in Congeress; U.S. lack of broadband speed and quality as compared to Japan, etc. and what will happen in future if Verizon/Comcast type Duopoly prevents free internet, would it ever go private. Jason mentions China's attempt to censor content, will they be able to do it or not? Something to watch for future.
Gather and include more info on Intellectual Property/Copyright, Key Concepts and Policy for Wiki.
Jason presented maps from Boston Wireless Task Force that he found @ Boston.gov/wireless showing where and what type of cable is already in place around the city. Questions were who owns and controls what and what will be done with in future. Articles can be found on "Wireless in Boston" from Mayor's Task force at that website. Talked briefly at end of class about "dumb network, big pipes" meaning fast broadband, cheap, free, fast for everyone, basically the opposite of net neutrality.

Tactical Media Communication Policy Notes
10-19-06
Fred Johnson

Public Interest and the Media
- Thinking about impact on community
- Politics
- Democracy
- Diversity of ideas/culture

Political Philosophy: Radical <-->Liberal – not all that useful, recall Jason’s remarks. Very valuable way of understanding communication policy debates with the current heavy emphasis on “libertarianism.”

Democratic
+
Individual +++ Collective
+
Totalitarian


Terms of the debate:
Conservative – think market will figure it out
Liberal --- Regulation and Reform in the public interest while allowing corporations to thrive
Radical – Public ownership
Monopolies vs Market

Monopolies DON’T:
- innovate
- diverse
- do the unpopular
- share
- price competitively
+ they sell services at a low price to kill smaller competitors, then jack up prices (price gouging)

Points of view
- corporate
- regulatory
- consumer affairs – ask if PEG access raises rates

Two other ways to view the policy discussion:
- Media Culture: Issues like access and representation, current affairs programming.
- Infrastructure Development

Media Policy – Levels of Regulation:
1.-Federal
2.-State
3.-Local (county/municipality)
4.-GAT (global, formerly WTO) *new

Media Policy Venues or sites
1.-Courts
2.-Legislative Bodies
3.-Administrative bureaucracy
4.-International????

Regulatory Categories (based on type of software; differences in business models & computer management):
- Broadcasting
- Cable
- Telephony
- Internet

Emerging Issues:
1. Copyright
2. Definition of communication service vs. cable service (Title 1 & 2)
3. Must carry
A FCC regulation requiring that cable TV systems must carry all locally-licensed television stations. This was done to prevent cable from destroying free over-the-air television.
elastic demand for cable keep prices high and censor local stations
4. General Public License (GPL) agreement
a. Open source and free distribution
b. Creative Commons
5. WIFI (or now WIMAX)
6. Public ownership / monopoly
a.The Shell Game
7. Broadband over powerlines


Key Concepts in Communication Policy

Net Neutrality
-Maintaining the free flow of digital information on the internet; open and equal access for all
Concentration of ownership/ Duopoly
-Any marketplace where consumer choice is limited to two service providers
-Cable and DSL providers control almost 98% of the marketplace
Digital Divide
-Gap between communities in their access and knowledge of technology
- Tied to educational and economic restraints
Access to Internet, Broadcast
-Assistive Technology
-Web content accessibility
Public Interest
-Community Programming
-Community Media
Copyright Law, Intellectual Property Rights

take a look at the Internet Rights Charter. it's I think so important to policy issues

http://rights.apc.org/charter.shtml

this is a link to an article that discusses digital inclusion, the fundamental necessity of community wireless, and the imopprtance of digital literacy and more importantly accessability! check it out as it is enlightening!

http://www.govtech.net/digitalcommunities/story

go to this link and search digital inclusion!

here is link to file a comment with the FCC regarding local access and local empowerment. take a look and file!
http://www.freepress.net/fcc/comment.php?d=05-311

brad will, an independent journalist with Indymedia, was killed friday in oaxaca while video taping the protest taking place in the city between the community especially teachers unions who are demanding increased rights and the state government. the action has spread and is characterized by large scale solidarity from a myriad of social sectors. i found this relevent because as we prepare to do video workshops it is important to realize that apparently some things are still off limits to cover and this should inspire us to work on all fronts to create a more just society.
http://www.indymedia.org/en/index.shtml

* We, along with all of Brad's friends, reject the use of further state-sponsored violence in Oaxaca.
* The New York City Independent Media Center supports the demand of Reporters Without Borders for a full and complete investigation by Mexican authorities into Oaxaca State Governor Ulises Ruiz Ortiz's continued use of plain-clothed municipal police as a political paramilitary force. The arrest of his assailants is not enough.
* The NYC IMC also supports the call of Zapatista Subcomandante Insurgente Marcos "to compañeros and compañeras in other countries to unite and to demand justice for this dead compañero." Marcos issued this call "especially to all of the alternative media, and free media here in Mexico and in all the world."

10/26/06
Jason was leading us in different discussions, Pam also helped as well.
Facilitator- Sequoia
Note Taker- Yianno

We began the meeting by finishing up what was being talked about last week
Next we went over a Policy Discussion
Communication Policy Wiki
Reported Video Workshops and Other group projects

One question that was first addressed during the meeting was “Can they setup these so called toll” according to Jason they can. They have certain credibility to do it. It definitely would not be fair at all though for most people. We also talked a little of how phone companies are trying to make it possible to use video phone. Another invention that was also promised to us by the phone company. There was also another strange thing that was brought up about how certain parts of this country people can’t get a phone. There are very few instances where this can occur. Cable companies have also been complaining about how they want the same treatment as the phone companies.

Big Picture- we talked about how certain internet movies can be seen globally so fast. For instance the Chinese Back street Boys. How did it travel so fast to so many different peoples computers. We found out that there are 100’s even 1000’s of different video cites where any person could view different videos and share them. Which lead up to our next discussion on copyrighting. Copyrighting is something that subsist in a wide range of creative, intellectual, or artistic forms or "works” The symbol for copyright is © (Unicode U+00A9), and in some jurisdictions may alternatively be written as either (c) or (C).

We then talked about the different workshops that were being offered and who wanted to do what.

Video Workshops- Charlotte, Stephen, Jay and Yianno
We have our first meeting November 3 4:30 p.m

We found out what people are interested in.
People can choose whether or not they want to host their own screenings

Writing Article for Mass Media- Stephen showed interest
Wiki Related stuff- Pam, Sequoia, Jonell and Gulet
Learning about Editing- Gulet, Charlotte, Jay and Yianno

10/26/06
Jason was leading us in different discussions, Pam also helped as well.
Facilitator- Sequoia
Note Taker- Yianno

We began the meeting by finishing up what was being talked about last week
Next we went over a Policy Discussion
Communication Policy Wiki
Reported Video Workshops and Other group projects

One question that was first addressed during the meeting was “Can they setup these so called toll” according to Jason they can. They have certain credibility to do it. It definitely would not be fair at all though for most people. We also talked a little of how phone companies are trying to make it possible to use video phone. Another invention that was also promised to us by the phone company. There was also another strange thing that was brought up about how certain parts of this country people can’t get a phone. There are very few instances where this can occur. Cable companies have also been complaining about how they want the same treatment as the phone companies.

Big Picture- we talked about how certain internet movies can be seen globally so fast. For instance the Chinese Back street Boys. How did it travel so fast to so many different peoples computers. We found out that there are 100’s even 1000’s of different video cites where any person could view different videos and share them. Which lead up to our next discussion on copyrighting. Copyrighting is something that subsist in a wide range of creative, intellectual, or artistic forms or "works” The symbol for copyright is © (Unicode U+00A9), and in some jurisdictions may alternatively be written as either (c) or (C).

We then talked about the different workshops that were being offered and who wanted to do what.

Video Workshops- Charlotte, Stephen, Jay and Yianno
We have our first meeting November 3 4:30 p.m

We found out what people are interested in.
People can choose whether or not they want to host their own screenings

Writing Article for Mass Media- Stephen showed interest
Wiki Related stuff- Pam, Sequoia, Jonell and Gulet
Learning about Editing- Gulet, Charlotte, Jay and Yianno

Important Critical Speech on Wikipedia

Just found this speech from last April that's critical of the way Wikipedia is constructed. Wish I'd seen it before I attended the Wikimania Conference at Harvard Law last summer. Would made for some good debate fodder. A bit choppy in spots, but certainly worth a look.

here's my e-mail if anyone needs to get in touch! thanks!
steven
rumblefish_13@yahoo.com

Tactical Media Minutes October 19, 2006
Notes: Steven
Facilitation: John

Housekeeping
Regarding Workshops
-Production and editing workshops will be presented ASAP
-reasoning is that they represent empowering skills that will allow us to take control of future study
-Reminder about Tactical Media Project
-we are in the process of doing 4 competencies in 2 semesters
-this is an important focus because it requires us to work
together outside of Thursday evening meetings
-if anyone has issue with this please see Fred
-Misc.
-everyone’s e-mail should be up on the blog so we can contact each other individually about projects, etc.
-Jay circulated a note taking/facilitation sign-up sheet. Please sign-up for future meetings so time is not wasted on deciding who is doing what.

Content
-Pam and Fred presented a discussion on public policy to recap last year’s national legislation
-be sure to get the Tactical Media Tool Kit handout from Pam
-the goal is to get this up on the blog and also to possibly develop it into a wiki project to enhance interaction
-Moyers on America was implemented as an audio-visual tool highlighting communication policy issues. Be sure to watch it!!
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/moyersonamerica/net/
-the evening was divided into three segments
-NET NUETRALITY
-KEY CONCEPTS (Pam provided a useful handout)
-OUTLINE ON COMMUNICATION POLICY (also a handout)

Net Neutrality
-Def: the free flow of information over the internet characterized by open access to all and free content for all.
-The struggle: telecom companies are trying, through national legislation, to create a two-tiered internet where larger content providers will pay more for access as compared to smaller content providers who cannot afford the fee. This will establish an environment of unequal access and a skewed internet based on market rather than democratic principles.
-Telecom agenda: there has been a concerted effort on behalf of the telecom industry to gain control of the internet.
-Duopoly: an important term that refers to the cornering of the Information Super Highway market by cable and phone giants
How We Have Arrived to the Current Situation
-Moyers documentary sheds light on this issue
-the basics
-in the early 90s the federal government created industrial policy to induce telecom companies to develop Information Super Highway infrastructure
-this was accomplished through tax breaks and subsidies
-the goal was to develop internet technology (speed!!) by replacing broadband copper wiring with much faster fiber optics
-the phone companies did not hold up their end of the bargain and basically pocketed the money
-this was largely due to regulatory capture
-this term refers to the unethical relationship between regulators and industry lobbyists
The Industry’s Reasons for Doing Away with Net Neutrality
-to set up a “toll road” that would serve to “unclog” internet traffic making it more efficient
-view Moyers on America series paying particular attention to segment with Mike McCrurry, co-chairman of Hands off the Internet, a coalition of telecommunication-related businesses
Skeptics’ Rebuttal
-phone companies’ true motive is monetary gain
-favoritsm and discriminatory practices in terms of accessibility
Net Neutrality Points to Ponder
-H.R. 5252 (net neutrality bill)
-http://www.benton.org/index.php?q=node/1882
-Stevens Bill (telecom reform bill)
-http://www.benton.org/index.php?q=node/2183
-National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
-http://www.ntia.doc.gov/
-net neutrality is a complex issue
-slow lane
-fast lane
-common carriage/common technology issues under attack
-Common Carriage: A network usage principle that guarantees that no customer seeking reasonable service — and able to pay a competitive price — would be denied lawful use of a transportation service or would otherwise be discriminated against. For centuries, common carriage has played an important role in the infrastructure services of transportation; in the US, it was broadly applied to railroads and later communications media. Today the concept is under threat by large cable and telephone companies who seek to get further into the business of using their “tracks” to sell their own packets of digital content to the end user. By wielding their network control to discriminate against other sellers they gain an unfair advantage in the content marketplace.(http://freepress.net/att/=glossary)

KEY CONCEPTS

-Net Neutrality
-Concentration of Ownership
-Digital Divide
-Access to Internet
-Assistive Technology
-Web Content Accessibility
-Public Interest
-Community Programming
-Copyright Law
-Intellectual Property Rights

OUTLINE
-Fred quickly elaborated upon an outline entitled Tactical Media Communication Policy Notes. Be sure to get one from Pam as it denotes many important issues about the current media and technology landscape.

Misc. Thoughts
-cable and phone companies=the internet!
-Comcast is the primary cable company in Boston
-bound to municipal contracts
-RCN is a smaller franchise
-agreements not as comprehensive at the local level
-not responsible to buildout
-costs less than Comcast
-not available everywhere
-United States is currently 16th internationally in terms of internet technological development
-largely due to the greed of the phone giants
-types of internet connections
-dial-up (extremely slow)
-broadband (10-30x faster than dial-up)
-fiber optics (40x faster than broadband)
-U.S. is still a broadband market
-downloading Library of Congress via dial-up=82 years
-downloading Library of Congress via fiber optics=45 seconds!!
-cost of service
-U.S. broadband=$40 per month
-South Korea and Japan fiber optic access=$40 per month
-in the United States the phone companies have not been held accountable for their actions.
-Fred posed the question, “Why is communications policy so important?”
-answer: because its implications and applications are at the core of the socio-cultural aspects of democratic interaction.

Tactical Media Umass Boston _ Fall 2006
Minutes from October 12, 2006
CPCS- Taylor Center: 5:40PM
Facilitator: Jay Cleary

Discussion topic: Video Franchising

Attendees: Cisco, Jason, Fred, Steven, Charlotte, Jay, Journel, Guiled, Sequioa and John. Discussion of the telecommunications policy was postponed and rescheduled to the next class (09/19/2006).
6:45PM

Housekeeping comments:

Sequioa requested a recap of the blog functioning and purpose Fred explained that the Tactical Media blog is a discussion forum that is open to any interesting subjects relating to media and culture. To Do Fred to remind Shannon to put all bloggers on the blog roll Fred suggested that former and current Tactical Media associates meet one a month to brainstorm and develop projects together. Date and time to determine Proposed day (Wednesday or Thursday)

Discussion subject: Video Franchising
Telecom companies versus Public interest

6:00 PM

Fred Johnson introduced a short video documentary on the subject of cable franchising available on http://blip.tv/ (blip.tv is a video sharing site). The documentary reveals that local franchising is vital to protect the public interest within our municipalities.

The 13 minute-long video documentary wonderfully portrays the viewpoint of different local government staff and public officials, as well as consultants, community activists, organizers and advocates. They clearly explain how national franchising will affect public interest.

In contrast to the rhetoric stated that national franchising will provide better services and rates, they present a radically different approach revealing and maintaining that local franchising is essential for our communities. They acknowledge that national franchising will deprive local government of the authority to enforce or require that telecommunication companies ensure sufficient services within our cities and hold them accountable for services they provide in each of our community. National franchising will be a threat to consumers’ protection and rights.

Background:

The documentary was produced by NATOA in association with Media Working Group. “Media Working Group founded in 1987, is a non-profit media education, production, research and development organization that provides an organizational framework for diverse multi-disciplinary work in media culture.” http://www.mwg.org/ . “The mission of NATOA is to support and serve the communications needs and interests of local governments.” http://www.natoa.org/ Watch the documentary http://blip.tv/file/39272/ Fred Johnson _ Producer/Director Discussion & debate:

Key words and concepts used during the discussion followed the documentary.

Franchising:

Local franchising

National franchising

Video franchising

Cable franchising

Redlining Public interest

Framing issues

Competition Competitive landscape

Community Media

During a fascinating discussion attendees led by Fred Johnson addressed the issues highlighted in the documentary (video franchising). Fred Johnson reiterated that local franchising is fundamental for the public interest. He described cable franchising as an arrangement or contract signed between the municipality and a cable company that is using local streets and sidewalks. The cable company accepts to provide services to the community to place its equipment in the public right-of-way.

Jason voiced his concern relating to the idea of telecom companies bypassing local authority to use the public right-of-way, throwing away local franchising. Jason stated “what would happen to the public interest when/if the telecom companies finally find their way to provide cable services without contracting with local government?” “and what is the next step?” Join us this Thursday October 19, 2006 to find out. Jason’s concern or question will be discussed at the Tactical Media’s next meeting at 5:30 PM (10/19/2006).

Tactical Media Projects:

6:40 PM

Jay (jay@cleary4.com ), Charlotte (bar_tender611@yahoo.com ), Steven (romblefish13@yoahoo.com ) and John (john.pantazeloz001@umb.edu ) were assigned the responsibility to plan 2 workshops:

Production (video) and post-production (editing).

The group will: Plan and advertise the workshops
Determine resources, time and date

Fred proposed to assist in the planning process

Additional projects will be identified on October 19, 2006
Pam is expected to introduce the discussion on telecom policy: Policy Recap from last year.

Class adjourned at 7:05 PM

this is a muat see video!! it not only alludes to a media agaenda that is is not representative of citizens but also insightful as to the as amy puts it the "fiasco" in iraq. gimme some thoughts!!!

OPPS: AT&T/BELLSOUTH FORGETS NET NEUTRALITY
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
AT&T-BellSouth has filed a new version of its proposed merger
conditions with the FCC. The conditions were made public late Friday
(Oct. 13) after commission Democrats asked them to be put out for
public comment, effectively blocking a vote on the merger at least
until that is done. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin agreed on a 10-day
comment period and has rescheduled a vote for Nov. 3. In its revised
filing, AT&T/BellSouth pointed to a typo in the original and to a key
omission: a "potential merger condition on network neutrality." That
omitted condition would be that, for 30 months from the closing of
the deal, "AT&T/BellSouth will conduct business in a manner that
comports with the principles set forth in the FCC's" Network
Neutrality policy statement of Sept 23, 2005. That statement outlined
a new framework for broadband Internet access in the wake of its two
decisions that summer that cable and telephone companies do not have
to make their networks available to unaffiliated Internet Service
Providers. At the same time, it spelled out antidiscrimination
principles it expected them to follow, or else.



let's see now, we'll give you net nuetrality for 30 months and then kiss it goodbye. sounds fair to me and very democratic!! unreal!!!!!

Tactical Media
Umass Boston _ Fall 2006

Minutes from October 12, 2006

CPCS- Taylor Center: 5:40PM

Facilitator: Jay Cleary
Discussion topic: Video Franchising
Attendees: Cisco, Jason, Fred, Steven, Charlotte, Jay, Journel, Guiled, Sequioa and John.

Discussion of the telecommunications policy was postponed and rescheduled to the next class (09/19/2006).

6:45PM
Housekeeping comments:

Sequioa requested a recap of the blog functioning and purpose
Fred explained that the Tactical Media blog is a discussion forum that is open to any interesting subjects relating to media and culture.

To Do
Fred to remind Shannon to put all bloggers on the blog roll
Fred suggested that former and current Tactical Media associates meet one a month to brainstorm and develop projects together.
Date and time to determine
Proposed day (Wednesday or Thursday)

Discussion subject:
Video Franchising

Telecom companies versus Public interest

6:00 PM
Fred Johnson introduced a short video documentary on the subject of cable franchising available on http://blip.tv/ (blip.tv is a video sharing site). The documentary reveals that local franchising is vital to protect the public interest within our municipalities.
The 13 minute-long video documentary wonderfully portrays the viewpoint of different local government staff and public officials, as well as consultants, community activists, organizers and advocates. They clearly explain how national franchising will affect public interest.
In contrast to the rhetoric stated that national franchising will provide better services and rates, they present a radically different approach revealing and maintaining that local franchising is essential for our communities. They acknowledge that national franchising will deprive local government of the authority to enforce or require that telecommunication companies ensure sufficient services within our cities and hold them accountable for services they provide in each of our community.
National franchising will be a threat to consumers’ protection and rights.


Background:
The documentary was produced by NATOA in association with Media Working Group.
“Media Working Group founded in 1987, is a non-profit media education, production, research and development organization that provides an organizational framework for diverse multi-disciplinary work in media culture.” http://www.mwg.org/ .
“The mission of NATOA is to support and serve the communications needs and interests of local governments.” http://www.natoa.org/

Watch the documentary http://blip.tv/file/39272/ Fred Johnson _ Producer/Director

Discussion & debate:

Key words and concepts used during the discussion followed the documentary.
Franchising:
Local franchising National franchising Video franchising
Cable franchising
Redlining
Public interest
Framing issues
Competition
Competitive landscape
Community Media
During a fascinating discussion attendees led by Fred Johnson addressed the issues highlighted in the documentary (video franchising).
Fred Johnson reiterated that local franchising is fundamental for the public interest. He described cable franchising as an arrangement or contract signed between the municipality and a cable company that is using local streets and sidewalks. The cable company accepts to provide services to the community to place its equipment in the public right-of-way.

Jason voiced his concern relating to the idea of telecom companies bypass local authority to use the public right-of-way, throwing away local franchising.
Jason stated “what would happen to the public interest when/if the telecom companies finally find their way to provide cable services without contracting with local government?” “and what is the next step?”
Join us this Thursday October 19, 2006 to find out.
Jason’s concern or question will be discussed at the Tactical Media’s next meeting at 5:30 PM (10/19/2006).


Tactical Media Projects:
6:40 PM
Jay (jay@cleary4.com ), Charlotte (bar_tender611@yahoo.com ), Steven (romblefish-13@yoahoo.com ) and John (john.pantazeloz001@umb.edu ) were assigned the responsibility to plan 2 workshops:

Production (video) and post-production (editing).
The group will:
Plan and advertise the workshops

Determine resources, time and date
Fred proposed to assist in the planning process

Additional projects will be identified on October 19, 2006

Pam is expected to introduce the discussion on telecom policy: Policy Recap from last year

Class adjourned at 7:05 PM

hi everybody,
i was thinking about the question that jason and fred asked last night in terms of what would happen next if the telecom companies are able to penetrate the cable market and offer cable services bypassing franchising, buildout, and right-of-way issues. well i watched the video from last night again and i think what will happen next is a power struggle over internet services within the same context of community needs and stipulations v. an all out market-focused free for all. anyone have similar or different viewpoints? see ya!

check out these two videos on net nuetrality!!

http://action.freepress.net/ct/A1sxr111LqVL/
The Merger and Me

http://action.freepress.net/ct/_psxr111LqVS/
Money Well Spent

http://action.freepress.net/campaign/mabell
Take Action: Don't Let Ma Bell Monopolize the Internet
i urge you all to look here and sign this thing!! thanks!

ok so it's on everybody!! the department of justice approved the at&t/bell south merger. now it goes to the fcc for final approval. i wonder what they are going to do!!!?? just kidding. time to put pressure on these pigs and tell them to get their greedy hands off the internet. go here and learn more about this and in particular net nuetrality.

http://www.freepress.net/att/
Free Press : Stop the AT&T/BellSouth Merger

Tactical Meeting Minutes - September 28, 2006


Housekeeping

Fred spoke briefly about attendance requirements. Attendance at the tactical media meetings is required in order to successfully complete your competencies. See the syllabus (http://fredjohnson.mwg.org/telecom/) for attendance requirements.

Fred suggested another book for those interested in additional reading. Fissures in the Mediascape: An International Study of Citizens' Media (Hampton Press Communication Series (Communication Alternatives Subseries).) (Hardcover) by Clemencia Rodriguez http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1572733683/ref=sib_dp_top_ex/102-1713845-6616960?ie=UTF8&p=S00P#reader-link

Fred distributed two handouts. The first can help with our definitions of media. We discussed the use of the Video Praxis and use for future reference.

1. Citizen’s Media: Dissent in the Realm of the Symbolic
2. Video Praxis: Outline of a typology

Brief Question and answer period.

Projects

We started a list of projects. We briefly discussed them and Fred encouraged people to consider other projects. We will continue to define, discuss and add to the following list of possibilities.

1. UMB Free
2. Project Hope
3. Collaborative Research
4. Writing for Mass Media
5. Wikipedia Teams

Workshops

We discussed the need to provide our teams with workshops to enhance our knowledge base. Fred wants us to come up with and provide the needed workshops. We briefly discussed the following list.

1. Video screenings
2. Video instruction
3. Video editing instruction
4. Guest speakers

Presentation

Jason gave a presentation to the group on Collaborative Media. It will be available online for anyone who missed it. The following is an incomplete outline of its content.

1. What is collaborative media and what it is not
2. AKA Web 2.0
3. Examples of collaborative media. Some are clearly collaborative media and some can be considered collaborative depending on how they are developed and implemented.

o Wiki

• Social networking
• Social bookmaking
• RSS
• MMOGs
• Peer-to-Peer networks
• Blogs
• Podcasts

i'm reading all this commotion going on in LA about the FCC impending vote on media ownership restirctions and i am very much opposed to media ownership concentration. i don't think these huge companies should be able to own newspapers and TV stations in the same market. also the percentage of viewres that a single tv station can reach is an issue. what really concens me, however, is who the hell cares who owns what and where it reaches if it's all more or less the same crap. in other words i'm not conviced that more "independent" distribution of mainstream media will lessen the mass indoctrination of the public. the mainstream is still the most widely used source of media and it requires radical change not liberal/conservative elitist tit for tat!!!

Ultimately, technology holds the promise of turning the entire power structure on its head, empowering grassroots citizens who previously felt voiceless.

http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/webbuilding/page5819.cfm
Using Technology to Create a New Kind of Public Commons

no wonder the power structure wants to monoplolize the net and everything else it can get its hands on!! thanks for sending this guled!!

i just read the article that fred sent regarding media ownership concentration in south africa. it seems to me that there is a global effort to suppress dissent and opposing viewpoints. it is not an issue of the right v. the left but rather having different opinions available to the public within the mainstream public sphere. when was the last time anyone saw howard zinn commenting on mainstream tv? how about chomsky? what about a fair report on all the soldiers who are refusing deployment in this unjust and illegal war in iraq? in this country supposedly we have a liberal(god i hate that word) media> can someone please point it outto me? the mainstream media is an orgy of center to right propaganda!! fox's motto is "fair and balanced." give me a break!! it's insulting, isn't it?
so i encourage the availability of right wing pundits but to counter that there must be radical and dissenting thoughts as well. for there to be a real democracy then there must be informed choice and not media oppression! see ya!

i just read the article that fred sent regarding media ownership concentration in south africa. it seems to me that there is a global effort to suppress dissent and opposing viewpoints. it is not an issue of the right v. the left but rather having different opinions available to the public within the mainstream public sphere. when was the last time anyone saw howard zinn commenting on mainstream tv? how about chomsky? what about a fair report on all the soldiers who are refusing deployment in this unjust and illegal war in iraq? in this country supposedly we have a liberal(god i hate that word) media> can someone please point it outto me? the mainstream media is an orgy of center to right propaganda!! fox's motto is "fair and balanced." give me a break!! it's insulting, isn't it?
so i encourage the availability of right wing pundits but to counter that there must be radical and dissenting thoughts as well. for there to be a real democracy then there must be informed choice and not media oppression! see ya!

hi everyone! wel i just read an e-amil that fred sent regarding media concentration and censorship issues taking place in South Africa. it seems that there is a global effort to keep opposing viewpoints out of the public sphere. to me it is not an issue of right v. left but rather having an equal representation of views. Supposedly in this country we have a liberal media. Can anyone show me where this exists? The media here is one center to right orgy of propaganda which is fine as long as the other side gets its equal share of airtime. When was the last time that we have seen howard zinn on fox or cnn or msnbc? how about chomsky? how about stories reported fairly on all the soldiers who are standing and refusing deployement in this unjust and illegal war? why wasn't the hugo chavez speech more fairly critiqued in the media? After all he did have some important things to say. fox's motto is Fair and Balanced!!! Please!! what we need is a real fair and balanced media where all opinions even dissenting ones are heard. then we can begin to speak of freedom and democracy! see ya!

Tactical Media Group at UMass Boston

hey........I'm here. I wish I was still in Amsterdam.

I got a blog......sweet

hi everybody! i just got turned on to sut jolly who is a prof at umass amherst nad he is amazing. check him out! he does video as well as articles. see you guys!! http://www.sutjhally.com/onlinepubs/onlinepubs_frame.html

To do List

1. If you haven't already done so please register for tactical media either online or through Sarah Bartlett in the registration office, her email address is sarah.bartlett@umb.edu and her telephone # is: 617-287-5807 .
2. Schedule a meeting with Fred to go over which competencies you need to take for tactical media this semester.
3. If you feel that you an intro to video production and post production please schedule a meeting with Shannon McCue (me). You can email me a shannon.mccue@umb.edu
4. Text for Class: "Community Media: A Global Introduction" by: Ellie Rennie

On going assignment for those you are working on the "Media and Community Building" competency.
Define these terms listed below

1. Participatory Media
2. Community Media
3. Development Media
4. Democratic Media
5. Public Media
6. Citizen Media

check out these documentaries!!!! http://www.witness.org/

watch what you video tape...i was watching democracy now today and a free lance journalist and video blogger was put in jail for 30 days for video taping the G8 protest in edinburgh scotland last year i believe. he potentially faces more jail time. a sad time for media freedom and first amendment rights! go to democracynow.org for the full interveiew.

Fall 06 Semester Begins!

The first meeting of the semester will be Wednesday, September 6th @ 5:30-7pm. We will be meeting outside of the Taylor Center. See you then!

More TMG folks in action...

Cambridge Community Television hosted a three-month class in which CCTV members Darcie DeAngelo, Mayana Leocadio, Matt Landry (UMB Spring '06 graduate), Jason Ong, Buz Owen and Amy Mertl with the help of instructors Shaun Clarke and Jason Crow, planned, wrote, shot, edited and distributed a short-form documentary on the subject of Citizen Journalism in a collaborative, citizen-journalism-style environment. The documentary features among others: Steve Garfield, Lisa Williams and Ethan Zuckerman. Watch the trailer.

For more information visit: http://projectdocumentary.blogspot.com

Watch the entire 12 minute piece at Cambridge Community Television on August 10, 2006 at 7:30pm.

Jason Pramas, media policy graduate student at UMB, and avid Tactical Media Group member, got us a plug in the Globe today. And, as always, he offered a thought provoking opinion:

"There were also those who questioned how the wiki system could sustain itself.

"We're just kind of assuming that people are going to volunteer their labor," said Jason Pramas, of the University of Massachusetts at Boston Tactical Media Group, which focuses on understanding technology and media policy. "It's great for increasing the bank of human knowledge. But it's lousy in that a lot of us are not going to make enough money to afford the laptops that we write wikis on.""

Read the full article at Boston.com.

Jason has also started calling us "TMG" - which sounds suspiciously like a jaw disorder but may be interesting new take for the fall!

Jon Stewart on Net Neutrality

The Tubes Are Clogged! This explains it all.

through experimenting with blip.tv I came across a tank that I have not seen yet rel="payment". basically an easy way to add a click a donation and steam to your blog vlog or web site.

it is in created by video vertigo...check it out rel="payment"

Alliance for Community Media Pre-Conference Session!

Hosted by Tactical Media Group and UMB Community Media & Technology Program

Community Media 21 C: A facilitated Seminar and Conversation in the Round
Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

This three-hour seminar/discussion will explore the issues critical to community media, community development and local democratic communications. Invited practitioners and theorists from a diverse range of community media work will provide short statements or provocations that are then addressed by participants in a facilitated fashion. A partial list of topics or issues would include cross platform collaborations; framing PEG Access in a cross platform, networked environment; the bifurcation of television into a world of high-low res; creative economic development and the role of community media in that sector. While the event is primarily focused on stimulating dialogue and collaboration, there will be a modest attempt to build consensus around key elements in the discussion. The writing and video for the event will be shared via media streaming and an on-line multimedia publication.

This event will take place on the UMass campus, easily reached by public transit on the MBTA Subway Red Line.

Moderator:
Fred Johnson, The Community Media & Technology Program
University of Massachussetts Boston, College of Public & Community Service

Speakers:
Sue Buske, The Buske Group

Rebee Garofalo, The Community Media & Technology Program
University of Massachussetts Boston, College of Public & Community Service

Martin Lucas, Center for Social Media
School of Communication, American University

Kari Peterson, Davis Community Television, CA

Chuck Sherwood, Community Media Visioning Partners