PATV Bill Has to Pass to Keep Democracy Now!

Trish and Ellen, RR-Iowa Coordinators

All,
 
Public Access Television is one of the few sparks of life in an otherwise dead media system.  If mainstream media were doing its job, we would probably not be embroiled in a senseless war right now.  Please help keep alive our community media outlet that informs the public through excellent programming such as Democracy Now! with Amy Goodman.
 
Please contact Joe Bolkcom today about Senate file 554 (video franchise bill) that passed the Senate and the House and is currently headed back to the Senate for reconciliation.   If the bill passes, PATV could lose funding.  Programs such as Democracy Now! could be threatened.   
 
ACTION:  Please tell Senator Bolkcom how much you value public education channels.  Ask him to support amendments that ensure continued funding of PEG (public education and government) programming. 
 
Senator Bolkcom's contact info:
 
515-281-3371
 
For More Info:
 
If you would like more info. about this threat to important community programming, here's what Nick Johnson, former FCC Commissioner has to say in this April 12 Special to the Register: 
 
Rein in Prices by Keeping Tough Local Regulation
 
or at Nick's blog:
 
Also, see this Guest Opinion in Sunday's Iowa City Press-Citizen by Saul Mekies, Chairman of Iowa City's Telecommunications Commission
 
Local Franchises Fund Channels and Ensure Coverage of All Areas
 
 
or go to: 
 
Iowa City PATV:  hpage_id=45ttp://patv.tv/?
 
Thanks everybody,