Center for Media and Democracy News Archives | Center for Media and Democracy

Leahy, Sanders And Welch Back Legislation To Restore Net Neutrality

March 08, 2019

In a joint statement, Leahy, Sanders, and Welch said: “A free and open internet is essential to our economy, a free flow of ideas, creativity, and participatory democracy. The Administration’s decision to repeal net neutrality is bad for our democracy and bad for consumers and entrepreneurs, especially in rural areas, and a gift to the big telecom companies who can now pick and choose who has access to the internet and at what speed. Our legislation will reverse this anti-consumer move and ensure that the internet remains open and accessible to all Americans.”

Watch 2019 Town Meeting Results Coverage

March 04, 2019

Join us at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5th, for our "Local Votes Results Show!" Hear voices from fellow voters and get LIVE updates and election results for Burlington, South Burlington, Essex/Essex Junction, Williston, Colchester, and Winooski.

Channel 17 Launches New Legislative Series

February 13, 2019

Channel 17/Town Meeting Television is launching a new series to help Vermonters have a better understanding of the legislative process and how statewide legislation impacts local communities.

Why do we pay a PEG Fee on our Cable Bill?

February 01, 2019

Our primary mission is to cover public meetings and events for Burlington, South Burlington, Essex, Essex Junction, Winooski, Williston, Colchester and St. George. We offer free training and equipment upon request. We will also air public issues programs submitted by the public. This work is funded by local government contributions and through franchise fees paid by local cable subscribers, as a percentage of their cable TV bills.

Channel 17 Town Meeting Forums Begin February 4, 2019

January 29, 2019

To help voters better understand the people and questions on their local ballots, Channel 17/Town Meeting Television will present a series of Town Meeting Forums throughout the month of February. Stream the forums LIVE at http://ow.ly/ObtY30nCrXp

Vermont Attorney General Posts Privacy Protection Recommendations

December 20, 2018

The Vermont General Assembly has asked the Attorney General, in consultation with the Public Service Department, to make recommendations on the adoption of regulations concerning telecommunications privacy, the designation of a Chief Privacy Officer, and whether to regulate businesses that handle the data of consumers with whom they have a direct relationship. Read the report.

Over 3,400 Comments Filed with the FCC

December 18, 2018

Of the 3,400, 242 of these came from Vermont filed by individuals, nonprofits, selectboards, politicians and the Department of Public Service. Go to the following link, click on the names and you can read the filings. https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/filings?date_received=%5Bgte%5D2018-5-1%5Blte%5D2018-12-17&limit=250&proceedings_name=05-311&q=addressentity.state:(VT)&sort=date_disseminated,ASC

Greg Epler Wood Letter to the FCC regarding potential changes to the cable act

December 17, 2018

PEG Access has had to rely on strictly cable television revenues for its existence over the decades, but at the same time the cable industry has successfully avoided its franchise fee and PEG Access obligations by migrating its commercial programming over to broadband. This in spite of the fact that it has been using the same public rights of way for the same cables, fibers and vehicles to carry the same electronic information it always has for half a century.

Congressman Peter Welch's Letter to the FCC regarding potential changes to the cable act

December 17, 2018

Under the Communications Act, local governments can require, as part of cable franchise agreements that cable operators meet demonstrated community needs by setting aside channels for PEG stations. The proposal in this docket would allow operators to deduct from franchise fees paid to PEG stations the value of these channels as well as the value of any In-kind services they provide, including wiring schools for broadband. The resulting reduction in revenue could threaten the very existence of PEG stations and force local governments to choose between funding the stations or other vital services and institutions. Such an outcome is unacceptable.

Stop the FCC From Gutting Public Access Television

December 03, 2018

The Federal Communications Commission is considering a new rule that will jeopardize community media organizations like Channel 17. Stop the FCC from gutting public access TV! Let them know why you think community media is important.

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Alliance for Community Media says FCC Cable Vote Will Harm Local Media

The proposed rules would allow cable companies to assign market values to these benefits and then charge the amount back to local communities in most cases. Benefits include items like free cable subscriptions to schools, discounts for the elderly, and fiber connectivity to local government buildings like police departments, fire stations, and libraries.