This Halloween: Stand Up to the Lobbyists’ Scare Tactics
October 31st, 2008 by Megan TadyIt’s one thing to be spooked by how far powerful lobbyists are going to stall bringing Internet access to millions of Americans. But don’t be frightened by their fear-mongering message that our TVs will never be the same if some broadcast channels are used for high-speed Internet.
 They’re Ba-ack! Take Action To Open White Spaces |
This Halloween, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is trying to scare Washington with horror stories about “white spaces” — vacant TV channels that can be used to bring a high-speed Internet connection to rural and low-income Americans across the country.
The NAB’s hired guns have bombarded Washington with false claims in a desperate, last-ditch attempt to hoard these airwaves and to disrupt a critical Federal Communications Commission vote taking place in just five days.
The FCC’s five commissioners must not buckle under the intense lobbying pressure: Send a Halloween action card telling the FCC not to give in to the NAB’s scare tactics.
Here are the facts:
- If we open white spaces now, we can deliver the social and economic benefits of a fast Internet connection to tens of millions of Americans now on the wrong side of the digital divide.
- FCC engineers have tested white spaces devices and determined that the technology can deliver high-speed wireless Internet, without interfering with adjacent TV broadcasts.
- The NAB and Big Media are doing everything in their power to close off access to white spaces because they fear competition from innovators and losing control of the public airwaves.
The NAB is furiously spending millions of dollars on dirty tricks and political intimidation to scare the FCC away from white spaces. We must drown out the NAB and make sure the FCC hears from the public.
Take just one minute to sign this Halloween action card and forward it to your friends. Free Press will deliver your cards to the FCC today and make sure the white spaces are opened up for everyone’s benefit.
