REVIEW and Continuation of last week- (3/11/09)

Internet Policy and potential for Digital Democracy

Big concern:

If media is the best way to give citizens the knowledge they need to make informed decisions, are they currently fulfilling their role? What options are available for them?
-concern with form and content of information
   -image-based, highly sensationalized
   -no context provided, no alternative viewpoints
   -based on ratings, since private, for profit industry
   -not fulfilling public service of either providing info nor modelling deliberation

-concentration of ownership of media outlets (radio, tv)
  -sameness of offerings
  -limit to local coverage,
  -limit to diversity
   -big players swallow up smaller, more diverse voices

What can be done?

Possible Solutions:
   a. encourage civic journalism
      1. some stations voluntarily try to provide relevant coverage
      2. ex.  Wisconsin
      3. show how news connects to policy  

  b. structural reform through government action
     1. legislation to limit monopolies and mergers
     2. McChesney: overturn much of 1996 Telecommunications Bill
        a. airwaves are public resources, not leased to corporations
        b. demand more corporate responsibility (2 minute petition)
        c. campaigns--candidate coverage for free in return for licenses granted

   c. support and encourage alternative media sources 
      1. community radio & internet service providers
      2. independent radios
      3. growing importance of blogs 
             a. acknowldgement that it is viewed as new media outlet
            b.  accreditation from Media Bloggers Association- coverage of 2008 campaign
            c. varies widely in quality/bias/profitability
    4. local media radio act  tpe

d.  need for new economic model that eases transition of ownership
    1.  currently private markets dominate  media ownership
    2. movement made towards public ownership to save journalism
       a. newspapers are losing money, cable are seeing audience decline
       b. public interest in ensuring diversity of coverage/sources
    3. Wisconsin Investigative News initiative

 e. community action to demand "public" interest be represented

    1. 1970, Boston, petition to remove license from TV station
       a. bad news coverage
       b. successful
    2. civil rights movement not covered in Mississippi by radio station
        a. marchers used social networks, churches, etc. to pass knowledge
        b. station lost license eventually
        c. justified by public right to know

f. make certain public interest represented in design of new communication technology   RtM

    1. major legislation currently being decided about internet policy, internet infrastructure
        a. industry has lobbyists involved in process, advocating for policy initiatives
        b. public has little knowledge of technical issues involved,
             1. implications of policy decisions
             2. what might be possible, given policy model of other nations

  2. coalition of groups- industry, public interest, city & state
     a. meeting to come to consensus on new broadband policy, closer to agreement

 3. Issues of concern:

a. no clear regulatory structure of internet, even though extremely important to media, entertainment, govt, info access
   1. Federal communications Commission- deals with communication
   2. White House -deals with science
   3. congress- deals with infrastructure

b. clouded jurisdiction- prevents advances in communication infrastructure, policy
  1. US once led world in internet speed, access, now 17th in nation
  2. losing to Japan, South Korea, India, among others who rank it higher priority

c. regulators lack technical training
   1. congressppl do not understand policy
   2. FCC selected on basis of DC connections, not technical knowledge
    A. broadband infrastructure and access
         1. US no longer in 'top ten' broadband access - speed, access, downloading capabilties  cht
           a. rural areas get little coverage, i.e,, dial-up or nothing
           b. some places get none, would need satellite to have internet
           c. municipal use is relegated to poor parts of spectrum
       2. fiber-optic infrastructure is outdated, new 21st century grid needs to be invented
           a. benefits
               1. potential for new jobs constructing it
               2. stimulate e-commerce, tele-work, tele-medicine
               3. relieve strain on transportation system, lessen commutes
         b. concerns
               1. cost money to build
               2. conflicting concerns
                   a. govt ownership will increase taxes
                   b. big players will still dominate small players

    B. Delivery of information  'net neutrality'
        1. FCC does not define internet providers like phone companies
            a. 'common carrier' rules do not apply
            b. issue of  info discrimination in speed of download
                1. slower download for those who pay less
                2. slower download for those w/ politically unpopular views
                          a.. currently lobbying for rules in their favor  (insider knowledge)
                    b. public doesn't understand the issues (outsiders)
          c. potential for domination by few players- similar to music choices, radio policy

 C. allocation or de-regulation of spectrum
      1. concern that best lines auctioned off to highest bidder
         a. replicate structure of tv, radio
         b. At&T, verizon pushed for this (COPE Act)

   2. defeated by blogosphere (750,000 signature on petition)
      a. savetheinternet campaign
      b. decision halted

  3. potential for use of 'white spaces' in spectrum
      a.  11/08 'unlicensed use of white spaces'
      b. wireless networks allow communities to design own media
         1. california tribes
         2. inner city chicago neighborhood
     c. restore localism and diversity of voices

 4. municipal broadband new 'civil right'
    a. all cities, all citizens have access to high speed internet
        1. easier for democracy to flourish, more choices available
       2. easier access for citizens to government, government to citizens
          a. emergency contacts, townhall meetings, etc.
          b. global access to information
 b. proposal to have one fiber to every home
     1. unlimited access to high speed info, media,
     2. competition to media giants, cable companies
     3. would require regulation to prevent 'spying'

D. continued access to public domain 'dotcommons'     

     1. build in dot-commons capabilities to design of new technologies ex
        a. a balance between market & govt-controlled sites
        b. restore "public" identity as citizen w/ "market identity as consumer
    2. universal broadband, even in rural areas
       a. far behind most other nations in broadband development
       b. poor,rural communities most likely to be left out
    3. save some of  spectrum for civic use
       a. communication between citizens and govt
       b. potentially free internet for every citizen

E. government transparency enabled
   1. search documents on-line
      a. enable access to citizens of govt proceedings
      b. opposite example of China

F. ensure privacy
    1. regulation in place to prevent govt access to website, 'cookies', etc.