[4] in libertarians
More socialist fantasy
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Raymie Stata)
Tue Jun 21 12:55:22 1994
To: objectivism@MIT.EDU, libertarians@MIT.EDU
From: Raymie Stata <raymie@larch.lcs.mit.edu>
Date: Tue, 21 Jun 94 12:48:50 EDT
Here's more socialist fantasy about how free access to the info
"superhighway" will lead to all kinds of wonderful things. Gag! Note
in particular the phrase "social speech" burried in here. All we need
is an NEA-like organization to decide what counts as "social speech"
and what counts as "commercial" (or even worse, "anti-social") speech.
We should all write letters _against_ this bill.
Raymie
------- Forwarded Message
To: cpsr-announce@sunnyside.com
Date: Sun, 19 Jun 1994 22:20:30 -0700
Subject: Groups Hail New Bill For Public Space on NII
This is a press release put out by People for the American Way and the
Media Access Project last week. Additional information, including a copy
of the legislation, will be put online shortly.
- --
June 15, 1994
PUBLIC INTEREST GROUPS HAIL INTRODUCTION OF BILL TO
PROVIDE "PUBLIC LANE" ON THE INFORMATION "SUPERHIGHWAY"
PEOPLE FOR CALLS BILL "VITAL" TO
DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH-TECH DEMOCRACY
MEDIA ACCESS PROJECT SAYS NON-PROFITS NEED
TO GET ON NOW, NOT IN FIVE OR TEN YEARS
Public interest groups expressed enthusiastic support for S. 2195,
legislation introduced today by Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) to ensure
that there will be space on the "information superhighway" for schools,
libraries, public broadcasters, and non-profit organizations which
promote local artistic, political and social speech.
Senate Communications Subcommittee Chairman Inouye's bill guarantees
access on the "superhighway" for non-commercial and governmental uses.
"Without this protection, we may not get anything besides home shopping
and movies on demand," said Leslie Harris, Director of Public Policy for
the People For the American Way Action Fund (PFAWAF). "Senator Inouye's
bill creates an electronic `public square' where diverse political,
artistic and cultural expression can flourish. It is vital to ensuring
that the interests of the public are not left behind on the information
`superhighway.'"
Andrew Jay Schwartzman, Executive Director of the Media Access
Project (MAP), underscored the short-term impact of Senator Inouye's
proposal. "We hope -- and expect -- that some day the new technologies
will provide so much capacity at such low prices that there will be no
need to reserve space for public use. The bill directs the Federal
Communications Commission to phase out the `public right of way' if and
when that happens." But, he added, "It is critical that local government
and non-profit groups have access to the new technologies right away.
We need to begin using the technologies as they evolve; it will be too
late to do this five or ten years from now."
Potential uses of this capacity are innumerable, according to PFAWAF
and MAP. Among them are distance learning (in which master teachers can
work with students locally and nationwide) and interactive information
services such as the video health referral system established by the
Chicago Chapter of the Black Nurses Association. Similarly, performing
arts groups could distribute their works on these systems using an
upgraded version of the currently operative Arts Wire. PFAWAF and MAP
are especially enthusiastic about the Los Angeles-based Democracy Network,
an on-line interactive multimedia political communication prototype which
could help reduce the cost of running for public office by creating
high-tech voter information services, in which all qualified candidates
could respond to citizen inquiries, "post" biographical information,
video clips of their speeches and position statements, and the public
can participate on video bulletin and issue boards.
People For the American Way Action Fund is a 300,000-member
nonpartisan constitutional liberties organization.
Media Access Project is a twenty-one year old non-profit public
interest telecommunications law firm which seeks to promote the
public's First Amendment rights to speak and be heard.
- --
As Senator Inouye stated when introducing the bill, "nearly 100
educational, public broadcasting, library, civil rights, labor, local
government, and disability rights organizations and others have expressed
their support for the principles outlined in this legislation."
This coalition is asking organizations and individuals to write
the Senate in support of S. 2195. Sample letters to Senator Inouye,
Senator Hollings, and your individual Senators will also put placed online
shortly.
- --
Anthony E. Wright cme@access.digex.net
Coordinator, Future of Media Project Center for Media Education
------- End of Forwarded Message
