Community television weakened by FCC

COMMUNITY TELEVISION WEAKENED BY FCC
[SOURCE: Gresham Outlook, AUTHOR: Rob Brading, MetroEast Community Media]
[Commentary] When Congress didn’t enact telecommunications legislation in late 2006, local governments and advocates of media that’s less concentrated, more diverse and more local breathed a sigh of relief. Less than a year later, those same folks are wondering if they should have paid more heed to the old adage about being careful what you wish for. Commercial interests turned their prowess to the Federal Communications Commission, asking it to eliminate the need to negotiate with local governments for the use of public rights of way. This despite the fact that they can get a local franchise simply by agreeing to the terms of the existing cable company franchise. Far from simplifying or streamlining matters, the FCC will multiply the potential problems and disputes that cities have with land-line video providers. Here in the East Metro area, the new FCC order could cripple our local government’s emergency services communications, cost our local schools thousands and thousands of dollars in increased costs for Internet and telephone services, eliminate community television channels and deprive local governments of fair payment for the use of public rights of way. These FCC rulings will create chaos and uncertainty for our communities and budget gaps that local governments will close by reducing critical local services or raising fees and taxes. It’s not surprising, given its bureaucratic nature, and self-imposed distance from the needs of local communities, that the FCC moves forward regardless of wishes of the public. But it’s unfortunate and unfair that our local residents will pay the price for the blunders of an out-of-touch agency.
http://www.theoutlookonline.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=1191637717665...