Press Briefing on What's at Stake for Immigrant Communities and Communities of Color: On Tuesday, March 2, 2010 over 40 journalists joined the Center for Media Justice, New America Media, the G.W. Williams Center for Independent Journalism, the Bay Area Black Journalists Association, and the Northern California Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists for a press briefing. Download these recordings to hear Malkia Cyril, James Rucker, Eloise Rose Lee, Eric Arnold and others discuss the importance of an open Internet in our communities and lives.
Author: samhita
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National Allies Who Have Taken the Pledge for Digital Inclusion!
MY ORGANIZATION PLEDGES TO BE A DIGITAL INCLUSION CHAMPION.
We support the Media Action Grassroots Network. As a Digital Inclusion Champion, my organization asks the FCC and Congress to create a National Broadband Plan that defines broadband as a universal service, and network neutrality rules that protect an open and non-discriminatory internet.- Center for Media Justice: National
- Waite House: MN
- Headwaters Foundation for Justice: MN
- Main Street Project: MN
- League of Rural Voters: MN
- Twin Cities Community Voice Mail: MN
- Southwest Workers’ Union: TX
- Reclaim the Media: WA
- La Peña: TX
- Organizing Apprenticeship Project: MN
- Global Action Project: NY
- People TV: GA
- Community Alliance & Peacemaking Project: WA
- California Center for Rural Policy/Humboldt State University: CA
- Housing Assistance Council: DC
- The Minneapolis Television Network: MN
- League of Young Voters: National
- South West Organizing Project: NM
- Media Literacy Project: NM
- Honor the Earth: MN
- On the Commons: MN
- Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy: MN
- La Asamblea de Derechos Civiles: MN
- District 7 Planning Council: MN
- Native Public Media: National
- The White House Project: MN
- Trans Youth Support Network: MN
- Mountain Area Information Network: NC
- Community Action Center of Northfield: MN
- People Escaping Poverty Project: MN
- Quilted: CA
- Asian Media Access: MN
- Community Alliance for Global Justice: WA
- Langston Hughes Film Festival: WA
- MN Center for Neighborhood Organizing: MN
- 206 Universal: WA
- Syndicated FuseBox Radio Broadcast/BlackRadioIsBack.com: MD
- Access Humboldt: CA
- Rural Broadband Policy Group: National
- Counter Corp: CA
- Hope Community: MN
- Project Hip Hop: MA
- Alliance for Metropolitan Stability: MN
- Progressive Technology Project: MN
- Arts and Democracy Project: National
- Rural Latino Economic Center: MN
- Indigenous Peoples’ Green Jobs Task Force: MN
- Centro Cultural de Fargo Moorhead: MN
- Praxis Project: National
- Young Women United: NM
- Youth Works: NM
- University of New Mexico Women’s Resource Center: NM
- Southwest Multimedia Education Collaborative: NM
- Raza Graduate Student Association: NM
- Raíces Collective: NM
- New Mexico Office of African American Affairs: NM
- MECHa de University of New Mexico: NM
- La Communidad Habla: NM
- Fierce Pride: NM
- El Centro de La Raza: NM
- Albuquerque Partnership: NM
- Center for Rural Strategies: National
- National Hispanic Media Coalition: National
- Center for Community Change: National
- PEACE Initiative: TX
- Design Action Collective: CA
- Campus Ministry Office of Social Justice/St. Catherine University: MN
- Cowan Community Center: KY
- Roadside Theatre: KY
- Pine Mountain Settlement School: KY
- West Virginia Community Development Hub: WV
- Appalachian Community Fund: TN
- Art in the Public Interest/Community Arts Network: SC
- Appalshop:KY
- Youth Media Project: NM
- Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice: NM
- Quote…Unqoute Inc.: NM
- Peace Makers Consulting: NM
- New Mexico Public Health Association: NM
- New Mexico Human Rights Project: NM
- New Mexico Asian Family Center: NM
- Immigrant Coalition: NM
- El Centro de Igualdad y Derechos: NM
- Coletta Reid & Associates: NM
- Academy of Trades & Technology Charter School: NM
- BioGeoCreations: NM
- Community Justice for Youth Network: National
- Women, Action & the Media: National
- StoryTelling and Organizing Project: CA
- Casa Esperanza: New Jersey
- Brushy Fork Institute: SE Region
- Progressive Technology Project: MN
- Afro-Netizen: National
- NM Tribal Housing Coalition: NM
- Fuerza Unida: TX
- Transmission Project: National
- Spirit in Action: MA
- People Inc.: TN
- South Carolina Progressive Network: SC
- South Texas Media Access: TX
- Washington Public Interest Research Group: WA
- Lao Assistance Center: MN
- Migizi Communications: MN
- Women’s Network of Red River Valley: MN
- New Sudanese Community Association
- Greater Friendship Church: MN
- Priory of St. Albert the Great: MN
- POWER: Oakland
- Applied Research Center: National
- Ruckus Society: National
- Movement Strategy Center: National
- League for Public Schools: TX
- Windustry: MN
- Channel Austin: TX
- Community Action Center, Northfield: MN
- C4 Workspace: TX
- Berkeley Community Media: CA
- Martinez Street Women’s Center: TX
- Chanel Austin: TX
- Media Alliance: CA
- Local 782: TX
- Backbeat Magazine: TX
- Echo Town: TX
- Youth Media Institute: WA
- The Washington Bus: WA
- Radio Rootz: NY
- People’s Production House: NY
- Hidmo Eritrean Cuisine: WA
- Community News Production Institute: NY
- Labor Justice Radio: PA
- On Blast Radio: PA
- Philly for Change: PA
- Media Mobilizing Project: PA
- Hollow Earth Radio: WA
- NOW Seattle Chapter: WA
- Prometheus Radio Project: PA
- Cosmo Inserra: TX
- Philly for Change: PA
- Pocharte: TX
- Breakthrough TV: National
- Youth Radio KUNM: NM
- Healthy Heart: NM
- The Harwood Art Center: NM
- Media Arts Collaborative Charter School: NM
- South Broadway Neighborhood Association: NM
- Truman Middle School: NM
- Young Non-Profit Professionals Network: NM
- Sannis & Ochoa: TX
- Color of Change: National
- Texans For Peace: TX
- LifeNets: TX
- Blue Herron Media LLC (We The People News): TX
- Austin Airwaves: TX
- Blue Herron Media LLC (We The People News): TX
- Global Peace: MN
- Voices for Changes: MN
- Adios Barbie: National
- The Topless America Project: National
- Coastal Caroline University: SC
- Health Inn Business: WV
- Clear Creek Festival: KY
- Mountain Association for Community Economic Development: KY
- Spoonwood Productions: KY
- Appalachian Community Fund: TN
- Art in the Public Interest/ Community Arts Network: SC
- Women Action and the Media: MA
- WV Community Development Hub: WV
- United Mountain Defense: TN
- Coal River Mountain Watch: WV
- Shade Tree Productions: Unknown
- Bright World Education: OR
- Alternate Roots: GA
- Fractal Foundation: NM
- Food Grows Everywhere NM Collaborative: NM
- University Heights Association: NM
- Enlace Comunitario: NM
- North Valley Moving On: NM
- New Child Production: NM
- New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community: NM
- OffCenter Community Arts Project: NM
- Excel Educational Enterprises, INC: NM
- Koahnic Broadcast Corp: NM
- La Raza Unida: NM
- Kalpulli Izkalli: NM
- Sembrando Salud: NM
- Ella Baker Center: National
- Sustainable Ballard: WA
- United Workers Association: MD
- Digital Impact Group: PA
- Casino Free Philadelphia: PA
- Philadelphia Digital Justice Coalition: PA
- Philadelphia Independent Media Center: PA
- Voluta Interpreters Collective: PA
- Juntos: PA
- Zivtech: PA
- Evolve: PA
- Radio Tlacuache: PA
- Philly CAM: PA
- Asian Americans United: PA
- G-Town: PA
- Kevin Pentz: KY
- Mia Frederick: KY
- Derek Mullins: KY
- Debbie Trusty: KY
- Mark Kidd: KY
- Barbara Bayes: WV
- Vincent Smith: KY
- Donna Porterfield: VA
- Jareth Smith: KY
- michael szuberla: OH
- Tommy Anderson: KY
- Sandra White: OH
- Dawn Piscitelli:
- Marcus Keyes: TN
- Wayne Carter: TN
- Karen Howard: MA
- Joshua Moore: KY
- Rabecca Gainey:
- Jessica McFarlin: NC
- Angel Cornett: WA
- keir berman: NH
- Richard Fuller: KY
- Phoebe Southwood:
- Edwin Redmon: VA
- Athena Melville: CA
- Marsha Raymond: TN
- Mollie Alexander: MO
- Jason Fitzgerald: WA
- Steven Taylor: KY
- Stacy Gloss: KY
- Samantha Sparkman: KY
- Karen Denner: KY
- Audrey Green:
- William Demers: CA
- Ricky Hill: TX
- Jan Comerford: IL
- R Wise: TX
- Sam Sanchez: TX
- Matt Salter: VA
- David Fields: KY
- Erik Lewis: KY
- Deborah Rudman: PA
- JOHN HARAGAN: KY
- Alex Gardner: KY
- Kathy Stonestreet: KY
- Annette Welch: WV
- bethany sedik: PA
- Anika Cunningham: KY
- Evelyn Cosgriff : KY
- Malcolm Wilson: TN
- Robinson Cassie: KY
- Joseph Gorman: WV
- Andy Kachor: KY
- Anna Katich: MI
- Michael Frick:
- Kathy Kontio: KY
- Jennie Noakes: PA
- Kim Lyons : VI
- Sadie Ryanne Baker: DC
- Elizabeth Sanders: KY
- Maure Briggs- Carrington: MA
- Bill Gates: KY
- Laura Webb: KY
- Martin Mudd: KY
- Erica Saccucci: IL
- Josie Lamb Williams: KY
- Larry Hovekamp: KY
- Cody Belcher: KY
- Rachel Birkhahn-Rommelfanger : IL
- Elizabeth Speith: HI
- Elizabeth Forsyth: MA
- Kelly Drey-Houck:
- Miranda Brown: KY
- Dave Newton: KY
- Deborah M:
- Michael Fallik:
- Mary Love: KY
- Jeff Deal: NC
- Michelle Reynolds: CA
- Lora Smith: NC
- Amira Haqq: TN
- Elizabeth Desmond:
- Leanne Haynes: NC
- michael w smith: KY
- Sarah Hall: KY
- Brittany Greer: IN
- Grace Toney Edwards: VA
- Debra Callahan: KY
- Joanna Anderson: KY
- Matt Anderson: KY
- Sara Pennington: KY
- Kris Philipp: KY
- nancy kelly: KY
- Dennis Kent: IN
- Alex Davenport:
- Graham Boyle: MD
- Renee Muncy: KY
- Tina Marie Johnson: KY
- Tanya Turner:KY
- Hannah Morgan: VA
- Wendy Johnston: WV
- Tricia Shapiro: NC
- Rachel Sarah Blanton: VA
- Vernon Haltom: WV
- Robin Vosburg: CA
- Vickie Terry: TN
- Beth Bissmeyer:
- Jennifer Burks:
- sierra emrich: KY
- Albert Taylor: KY
- Deb Cawood: KY
- Katey Lauer:
- Allison Maupin:
- Lynn Sislo: OK
- Martha Brown: KY
- Emily Sarwas : KY
- sallie sparkman: KY
- Chris Cress: KY
- Johny Cress: KY
- Ronald Duff: KY
- Mary Fulst: KY
- Chuck Creech: KY
- Direct Action Welfare Group: WV
- Pennsylvania Head Start Association: PA
- Voices of Philadelphia: PA
- Poverty Initiative: PA
- Coalition to Save the Libraries: PA
- Institute for the Study of Civic Values: PA
- Essential Services Coalition: PA
- Coletta Reid & Associates: NM
- Ser de New Mexico: NM
- NM Commission on the status of Women: NM
- National Hispanic Cultural Center: NM
- Native American Community Academy: NM
- MBongi Village Loukoua Project: MI
- Fair West Neighborhood Association: NM
- Barelas Neighborhood Association: NM
- Barelas Community Coalition: NM
- Action for Healthy Kids: NM
- I Vote Native: NM
- Seattle Minority Executive Directors Association: WA
- La Plaza de Encuentro Gathering Place: NM
- Southwest Creations: NM
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Give Every Voice a Fighting Chance, Become a Digital Inclusion Champion!
See Who Has Taken the Pledge for Digital Inclusion
Support full broadband access and adoption and defend an open Internet.
Across the Unites States, organizations based in, or working with, people of color, poor communities, and other marginalized groups, are raising their voices for rules that will defend an open Internet that is fast, affordable, and fair. We know that open networks will create economic opportunity for our communities, and ensure that every idea -especially those of artists, advocacy organizations, and small businesses- has a chance. FCC Chairman Genachowski, FCC Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Michael Copps, Senator Donna Edwards, and even President Obama agree.
But some Internet companies like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast argue that rules to protect an open Internet are uneccessary. They say limits to how they manage traffic will decrease their already padded profit margins. They say if their profit margins decrease, they won’t invest in broadband build out to poor communities. Our communities should not have to choose between broadband access and Internet fairness. If you represent an organization that cares about economic opportunity for marginalized communities and small businesses, download the pledge (English) (Spanish) to become a Digital Inclusion Champion. Type in your organizational information, and click here to email it to CMJ.
Lift your voice, encourage the Federal Communications Commission to defend an open Internet. Our livelihoods and our right to communicate depends on it.
TAKE THE PLEDGE NOW!
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Washington DC is Listening, Tell Your Internet Story
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) needs to hear why the Internet is important to you, how you use the Internet, and what barriers you face to broadband access. As big media pushes policymakers to fully privatize the Internet, and the FCC works against the clock to develop the first ever National Broadband Plan, they need to hear the voices of people of color and the poor.
Take Action, Tell Your Internet Story
Tell your Internet story now! In addition to a brief description of your experience with Internet access, add to our Internet Stories Photo Essay by uploading a photo that helps tell your story.Broadband in Our Communities
Communities of color, the poor, and other historically under-represented groups face significant barriers to education, economic opportunity, access to services, and democratic participation. Of the 37 percent of U.S. adults that don’t have high speed Internet access, the vast majority are people of color, rural, poor, migrants and refugees, and people who speak languages other than English. Full broadband adoption would help to level the playing field for these communities, and create new platforms for our voices to be heard.Define Broadband as a Universal Service
The Universal Service Fund was established in 1997 to meet the goals of Universal Service as mandated by the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Universal Service is a concept established in 1934 to make rapid, efficient, nation- and worldwide wire and radio communication available to all people in the United States at reasonable rates, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. -
Hispanic Groups Plunge Into Network Neutrality Debate
By Erick Galindo
Hispanic Link News Service (January 10, 2010)Washington, D.C. – High-stakes political maneuvering is dragging Hispanic advocacy groups here deeper into battle over the future of the Internet.
As the Federal Communications Commission moves ahead with plans to create a set of rules designed to block online monopolies from forming, supportive consumer protection organizations are pressing ethnic advocacy and civil rights groups, including the Urban League, One Economy and National Council of La Raza, to speak out in support ofnetwork neutrality.
Some, such as the NAACP, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and the Hispanic Technology & Telecommunications Partnership, are following the lead of telecommunication giants Verizon, AT&T and Comcast. Others are avoiding taking a position opposing the trio. Still others, including the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and non-white media groups, are lining up with consumer protection groups and Web giant Google.
On one point all agree: much is at stake for communities of color.
Groups favoring network neutrality are led by the Center for Media Justice. Without it, they fear unequal access and eventual extra costs to poor and non-white communities. Its supporters came from throughout the country in December to try to sway traditional civil rights organizations to back their position.
Meeting with several such groups and federal legislators, CMJ encountered minimal opposition to its arguments. “This was new information to us, that there were civil rights organizations that believed that network neutrality was an essential policy in protecting the rights and power of people of color online,” CMJ executive director Malkia Cyril told Hispanic Link. None outright opposed the idea, she said.
Cyril, who spearheaded a series of meetings Dec. 8-10, added that one group’s representative called it “absurd” for any civil rights organization to be opposed to net neutrality.
“They are taking a measured approach to the issue,” Cyril said. “To them, the issue is whether this should be on par with broadband adoption and other issues.”
Cyril noted that the groups invited to the meetings were singled out because of their close partnerships with telecommunications companies and the fact that they had not yet taken a firm stance.
Alex Nogales, president of the National Hispanic Media Coalition, told Hispanic Link that a lack of information is at the root of any rift between consumer protection and civil rights groups. “Many people of color do not have access to traditional outlets to share their work and have turned to the Internet for that purpose,” he elaborated.
Cyril added, “The leaders of the groups thanked us for meeting with them face-to-face and not letting one of the telecommunications companies mediate. So far all the information they have been getting has been coming from the telecom companies. Organizations that have deep relationships in communities of color on the ground in regions and states are much more likely to take a pro-net neutrality stance because they understand the real impact.”
LULAC executive director Brent Wilkes argues just the opposite is true.
He told Hispanic Link that the average member of the Latino community is more concerned with hackers and viruses.
LULAC’s only opposition to net neutrality is to the non-discrimination clause, which would prevent Internet service providers from favoring content or access.
Wilkes noted that LULAC’s concern is with any adverse effect that legislation could have on broadband adoption. “What we don’t want net neutrality to do is drive up price. We know that our communities are price-sensitive,” he said, adding that forcing ISPs to provide the same access to other companies’ content would be unfair since ISPs have invested into building the infrastructure.
“The only option these companies could redeem the costs of laying the pipe would be to charge more for the data itself.” Wilkes denied allegations that LULAC’s close relationship to AT&T had any influence on the matter. AT&T has donated more than a million dollars to help LULAC gain broadband access to underdeveloped communities and other philanthropic endeavors.
“Obviously we have to raise money from a variety of sources, but we never shy away from standing up for what we believe is right,” he said. “That whole argument is really unfair, especially when it only seems to be levied against minority advocacy groups.”
In this, Nogales agreed with Wilkes. “To say that these organizations are doing this for the money is way off,” Nogales said. “LULAC and these groups do a lot of great things and they have their reasons for opposing net neutrality.”
Nogales and Cyril agreed that broadband prices would not go up under net neutrality. “Our numbers point to the opposite,” Nogales said.
Cyril said it would be illegal to pass the cost on to consumers, adding she believes that the FCC will pass net neutrality and remains open to working with LULAC and others.
“There are those all across the country committed to partnering with national civil rights groups in order to promote open networks because we know that’s what empowers communities that can vote, that can advocate for themselves online,” she concluded.
Erick Galindo is editor of the national Hispanic Link Weekly Report. He can be reached at [email protected]