'Net Neutrality, NARAL and Nostradamus

Thursday, Oct 18, 2007

Okay, Nostradamus has nothing to do with it, but who doesn't like a little alliteration?

Matt Ryan (new producer) and I traveled down to NYC yesterday to attend a hearing at 250 Broadway. It was called by the Assembly Committee on Corporations, Authorities & Commissions, chaired by Richard Brodsky.

They are pushing for an omnibus telecommunications act that they say would ensure networks (like Verizon & AT&T) exist with no restrictions on the types of speech permitted on them.

Here's what happened to make this issue a biggie (and this hearing well-attended):

Verizon made (and admitted to) a huge error a few weeks ago when it denied NARAL Pro-Choice NY's application to use its network for a text message campaign which would have sent NARAL SUPPORTERS a text message about contraception.

Verizon did the Mea Culpa dance at the hearing, but it was clear in its opposition to net neutrality: "Verizon opposes increased internet regulations such as the regulatory barriers that would be imposed by supporters of net neutrality on providers of internet access".

At the same time, supporters of Net Neutrality wouldn't call what they want "regulatory barriers". I'm pretty sure they would call them "assurances against censorship".

I'm betting that common ground can be found here.

By Susan Arbetter

Oct 20, 2007 - Susan Arbetter says:

I think most regular users of the web would absolutely agree with you. Thank you for writing. best, Susan

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Resurrection on State Street

We all thought the budget was completed and put to rest back in April.

But like Jason in A Nightmare on Elm Street, it was resurrected, slashed, reduced, and re-examined. Pushed and pulled and tweaked to within an inch of its life.

I'm exaggerating.

The dramedy unfolded on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, during a special session of the Legislature called by Governor Paterson. The usually-quiet-in-August-Capitol was thrown into a tizzy reminiscent of a aristocratic Victorian family expecting royalty at the last minute.

Hundreds of lobbyists stalked the corridors of the Capitol; protesters of all stripes chanted outside the door to the Governor's office; and the press were ubiquitous. As the always eloquent Denise Murphy McGraw observed outside the packed Assembly chamber, "It's just another day in Albany."

On the next New York Now, we will detail the cuts that the legislature agreed upon. Plus, one of the key architects of these cuts, Dean Skelos, the new Majority Leader of the State Senate, joins us in the studio to talk about pork, taxes and property tax reform.

Both James Madore of Newsday and Karen DeWitt of New York State Public Radio will join us with analysis at the big table.

It's all coming up on the next New York Now. Friday August 22nd, Saturday August 23rd and Sunday August 24th, on your local PBS station:

WNET, New York City
Saturday at 11am

WMHT Capital Region
Friday at 7:30pm
Sunday at 11am
Sunday at 11pm

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Sunday at 9:30am

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Sunday at 6:30pm

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Sunday at 7:30am

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Sunday at 10:30am

Think Bright
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Join Susan Arbetter as we hear from politicians, civil servants, journalists and men and women at popular spots statewide as they examine the news of the week coming from the State Capital.