Alert to new public interest issues raised by emerging communications, Benton awards multi-year grants to the American Civil Liberties Union's Project on Computer Technology and Privacy (now the Project on Speech, Privacy, and Technology) and the ACLU's Project on Information Technology and Civil Liberties.
Benton co-founds Grantmakers in Film and Electronic Media (now Media Impact Funders) which began on a volunteer basis in 1984 as an affinity group for funders interested in the power of film to highlight social issues. Charles Benton serves on its board of directors.
National Highlights:
- President Reagan reelected.
- AT&T monopoly broken up.
- Apple Computer introduces the Macintosh.