Save Access

from: Lafayette Pro Fiber

Wednesday, March 26, 2008
TV4US Astroturf Org Active in Louisiana

Well, we knew it was coming. The legislature is coming back in session and the latest push to take take local municipal property rights and hand them over to AT&T is back.

from: Multichannel News

Indiana’s TV Law Lauded
by Linda Haugsted -- Multichannel News, 3/3/2008

Ball State University researchers said Indiana’s 2006 telecommunications-reform bill has advanced the deployment of video and broadband services in the state, a finding disputed by incumbent cable operators.

from: Broadband Reports

When 'Civil Rights Groups' Become Paid ISP Lobbyists
And the technology press doesn't notice...
09:42AM Monday Mar 03 2008 by Karl

One of the most effective ways the phone companies have gotten what they want politically over the years is to fake the fact that they have consumer support. This is done via PR, farmed think tank science, hired bloggers (who don't allow comments), fake consumer groups and astroturf (fake grass roots) campaigns. Such efforts can make it appear that anti-consumer positions -- such as cherry picking broadband deployment or elimination of consumer protection laws -- have broad consumer support.

from: BitchSlappin

The Telecomms, Lobbyists, State Government and Big Media
1/14/08

The small local independent papers are full of news that is NOT being picked up by Big Media, and when you put these pieces together it shows how broken things are. First are the stories about the big telecomms steamrolling into statehouses and buying state congressmen right and left, not to mention Governors, to get their state franchise legislation and deregulation pushed through, bad state legislation that trashes Public Access TV, lessens or trashes completely the ability for municipalities to control their own right of ways, allows the franchisees to cherry pick the areas they wish to serve, negates any oversight on the consumer complaint process, overrides current franchise agreements in place that provide access to libraries, schools and municipal government as part of the agreement, and all kinds of other giveaways. Then there are the stories of what has gone wrong in the states where state franchising exists.

Note: Our list of Telco 'worst' moments would be a bit longer - and includes items like the ongoing attacks on PEG, exploding telco dslam boxes, and heavy-handed and costly political lobbying. But this list is a good start and it's safe to say the telcos and cablecos need a bit more watching.

from: Huffington Post

from: Nieman Watchdog

How much of your state’s legislation is being drafted by industry?

ASK THIS | November 30, 2007

The American Legislative Council, or ALEC, lets corporations cultivate legislators and win support for industry-written bills while not technically breaking lobbying rules – and paying no taxes. (First of two articles)

from: Neiman Watchdog

Corporate-funded research designed to influence public policy

COMMENTARY | October 01, 2007

Reports by well-known think tanks and individuals funded by telecoms are helping quash competition, increase phone rates and set up a corporate-oriented Internet system. Is there any reason to trust these reports? Or to trust experts who testify before regulators without revealing the sources of their funding?

Note: This report riddled with inaccuracies and misleading conclusions is from one of our favorite astroturf think tanks. Heartland provides the industries that fund their 'research' with persuasive reports for misleading legislators.
from: Heartland Institute

Opponents Slow Video Franchise Reforms

from: National journal

AT&T-Backed Group Won't Face Wis. Probe

By Michael Martinez

(Monday, August 20) The top law enforcer in Wisconsin has decided not to formally investigate an advocacy group that misrepresented a pair of state lawmakers' positions on a pending telecommunications bill.

Note: The word "exaflood" is worth watching and should be associated with the elimination of net neutrality since many of those engaged in this creative writing have that intention. Also, watch the Internet Innovation Alliance and their member orgs carefully.

from: Tech Policy Summit Blog