Citizens Meeting in Durham, N.C., to Discuss Broadband

Congress’ plans to spend billions of dollars on broadband stimulus couldn’t be more timely. Across the country, millions of Americans are struggling with no or slow Internet access. And we want to hear from them.

On March 7, InternetforEveryone.org is holding its second town hall meeting to ask local citizens how we should shape America’s digital future. InternetforEveryone.org is a national initiative of groups – including Free Press, ACLU, Skype and Google – working together to bring the benefits of a fast, affordable and open Internet connection to everyone in America.

The meeting will be held in Durham, N.C., and will bring together folks who span the digital divide, from people who have broadband to families stuck on dial-up. The first town hall meeting was held in Los Angeles in December.

High-speed Internet, or “broadband,” is becoming a crucial public necessity — but more than 40 percent of all U.S. homes are not connected or use slow “dial-up” technology. To address this digital divide, President Barack Obama has vowed to “expand broadband lines across America,” and Congress has already voted to spend billions on broadband as part of its economic stimulus bill. InternetforEveryone.org will deliver feedback from the Durham town hall meeting to the Obama administration and Congress as a national guide to building a better Internet.

“Leadership in Washington has made Internet for everyone a national priority,” said Timothy Karr, campaign director of Free Press, the organizer of InternetforEveryone.org. “But getting everyone connected won’t happen overnight,” Karr said. “In North Carolina alone, more than 3.5 million citizens are without high-speed access. Building an open, fast, affordable Internet is a process that requires true public participation. Washington must listen to the people of Durham, and others across the country, in order to build an Internet that works for all Americans.”

Live in or near the Durham area? Attend the town hall meeting on March 7. Impossible to get to the meeting in person? Join our "digital town hall" and add your voice to the conversation about America’s Internet future.

Free Press is a national, nonpartisan organization working to reform the media. Free Press does not support or oppose any candidate for public office. Through education, organizing and advocacy, we promote diverse and independent media ownership, strong public media and universal access to communications.