Bridging the Digital Divide: Spectrum Policy, Program Diversity and Consumer Rights

Bridging the Digital Divide: Spectrum Policy, Program Diversity and Consumer Rights

Brookings Institution
Thursday, May 05, 2011
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
http://www.brookings.edu/events/2011/0505_digital_divide.aspx

Closing the “digital divide” – the gap between society’s tech-enabled haves and have-nots – hinges on enhancing the quality and breadth of consumer access to digital and information technology in areas such as education, employment, health care, news and entertainment. As digital citizenship gains traction as a fundamental right, what should the government do to bridge the technology divide? How should access options be reformed, and what will programming offerings look like in the future? How will legislative and regulatory policies shape future access to further benefit consumers? How will spectrum policy changes impact under-served, geographically-isolated populations and consumers at different economic levels in our society?

On May 5, the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings will host a forum on innovative solutions that the government can implement to expand citizen access to digital and information technology, focusing on spectrum policies.

Moderator
Darrell M. West
Vice President and Director, Governance Studies

Panelists
Matthew Hussey
Legislative Assistant , Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine)
U.S. Senate

Uzoma Onyeije
President
Onyeije Consulting LLC

Christopher Ornelas
Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer
National Association of Broadcasters