Legislature Study Committee update Here are highlights from the fourth meeting of the PEG Access Legislative Study Committee on September 18. The value of Community Media is discussed by the Committee and possible paths to the sustainability of Access TV are discussed by guests Maria Royale (Legislative Counsel) and Robert White (Agency of Transportation). ">VT Access Network on Vimeo.

ADVOCACY GROUPS CHALLENGE FCC VOTE TO FIGHT FOR LOCAL CONTROL

Vermont Community Media Centers and their supporters are mobilizing with media centers and municipalities across the country to fight a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) vote that could undermine the ability of states and municipalities to set the rules for cable operators.

As part of partisan de-regulation strategy, the FCC voted 3-2 on August 1 to limit the benefits that communities can get in return for the corporate use of public property and rights-of-way in its Third Report and Order on cable franchising.

In her dissenting vote, FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel called the order part of the FCC’s effort to “cut local authorities out of the picture when it comes to infrastructure.”

The Study Committee will hold a public hearing on October 21st from 10am to noon in the small hearing room (#10) at the Statehouse in Montpelier to gather feedback from Vermonters about potential funding streams that could be made available to keep our community media centers strong.

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