ATT channel slamming Public Access channels (Amy Goodman)

[EFerrari]

AT&T Accused of Discriminating Against Local Public Access Channels, Deadline for Public Comment Expires Tonight

Community media groups are accusing the telecom giant AT&T of discriminating against local public access channels across the nation, and the deadline for public comment is midnight tonight. The dispute centers around how AT&T delivers public television stations to customers. Instead of putting the stations on individual channels, AT&T has bundled community stations onto a generic channel that can only be navigated through a complex and lengthy process. Public television advocates say AT&T is imposing unfair restrictions that will severely restrict audiences.

The groups have filed a regulatory challenge against AT&T with the Federal Communications Commission. And a House Appropriations subcommittee has also asked the FCC to look into the allegations. A public comment period ends at midnight eastern time tonight.

I’m joined now by three guests who have been active in seeking fair access for community media.

Joining me from Chicago is Barbara Popovic. She’s Executive Director of Chicago Access Corporation–CAN TV.

http://www.democracynow.org/2009/3/9/at_t_accused_of_discriminating_against

(Audio, video, transcript at link.)

[Mrs. Overall]

1. I watched this just today on Democracy Now--great, informative interview.

I can't believe AT&T is trying to get away with this.

[EFerrari]

2. Remember, ATT is the one that helped Bush spy on us all illegally.

I believe it.

Public access is so crucial to our local communities. :grr:

[Echo In Light]

3. Exactly. And congress voted for IMMUNITY for the telecoms

[Mrs. Overall]

8. Good point!

[ewagner]

4. We fought them

and lost in Wisconsin about one year ago...they lobbied heavily and "OWNED" more than a few Democrats including our State Party Chair, whom they hired as a lobbyist for their cause. The Chair justified it on the promise made by ATT that they would create "1,000 new, high-paying union jobs".....

guess how that worked out.

This is a screw job for the public and the unions...and I'm not just talking about Public Access...

[EFerrari]

5. Did you see what they're up to? Right now, if I want to go to public access

I just change the channel and it's like going to any other one.

Using their new platform, if you try to go to public access, you have to wait until a program loads and then go to a menu and so on. Amy showed it live and it takes over a minute just to get there. It's outrageous.

[RandomThoughts]

6. They are scared people will hear

information that is not put through a corporate filter.

Do they do the same thing for all the channels owned by NBC parent company, or all the shows owned by Time Warner.

This action makes me think AT&T should be just shut down and dissolved. This type of stuff is the stuff that get me upset.

[EFerrari]

7. kick