Hispanic Groups Jockey in Franchise Flap/Bells hang up on civil rights

HISPANIC GROUPS JOCKEY IN FRANCHISE FLAP
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
In early February, Esteban Torres, chairman of the National
Latino Media Council and former congressman, wrote Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, and committee members urging them to "streamline the current system of local cable TV franchises and open the cable market to real competition." Turns out all the members of the coalition weren't on board, though a majority had voted to send the letter.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6314473?display=Breaking+News...
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)

BELLS HANG UP ON CIVIL RIGHTS
[SOURCE: Tucson Citizen, AUTHOR: Lillian Rodríguez-López, president of the Hispanic Federation]
[Commentary] The giant telephone companies want to get into the cable television business. But there is a catch. Rather than play by the rules, they want to end the federal and local anti-discrimination protections that have helped to close the digital divide by making sure competition for the latest broadband and video services comes to Hispanic, African-American and working-class communities. If the phone companies get their way, the digital divide may widen. Many Hispanic and other traditionally underserved communities will lack parity of access to the competitive broadband technologies so critical for educational and professional advancement in today's world. Here's the simple fact: Nothing is standing in the way of television companies competing for cable services but the phone companies, which shouldn't be given the legal authority to discriminate. We welcome more competition and more choice, but only if every community can benefit.
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/news/opinion/030906_guest2ONLINE