Federal Telecommunication Act Rewrite is announced (groan!)

Posted by Mitchell - July 29, 2005 (entry 339)

As expected, Senator John Ensign (Republican of Nevada) has announced a proposed update of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 -- remember that bill? The behemoth which gave us such wonders as a ruined radio landscape and the monster known as Clear Channel.

Well, back in 1996, they didn't imagine that the internets would dramatically shape the future media landscape. So legislation that was supposed to last 60 some years is now being cracked open after just nine. The result is the Broadband Consumer Choice Act of 2005 -- a piece of legislation fantastic for big media and big telecom (just check out the sock puppets who endorse this) but lousy for your pocketbook, for local and community digital rights, and for America's international digital standing.

CMA has released a statement. A small suggestion: You might want to contact your Congressional represenatives today and meet up with them during the upcoming recess about this bill.

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