net neutrality

Peter Welch Meets with Vermont Public Access TV Leaders to Discuss Threats to Cable and Internet Access 04/08/2019

Congressman Peter Welch joins leaders of Vermont’s community media movement for a roundtable discussion of federal threats to public, educational, and government (PEG) access, local franchising authority, and open networks.

More than a dozen Vermont access leaders gathered at Channel 17/Town Meeting TV Studios including:

Kevin Christopher, LCATV - Colchester & President of Vermont Access Network (VAN); Elizabeth Malone, NWATV- St. Albans; Cor Trowbridge, BCTV - Brattleboro; Jess Wilson, RETN - Burlington; Lisa Byer, CAT-TV - Bennington; Angelike Contis, MMCTV - Richmond; Jared Gunnel, SAPA-TV - Springfield; Jamie Dimick, KATV - St. Johnsbury; Lauren-Glenn Davitian, CCTV - Burlington; Keith Berkelhamer, Mad River Valley Television - Waitsfield; Kurt Broderson, MCTV - Middlebury; Bob Ellis, GNAT TV - Manchester; Helen Riehle, Channel 17/ Town Meeting TV - Burlington; Erin Malone, CCTV - Burlington; Shay Totten, CCTV - Burlington; Greg Epler Wood, Vermont Access Network; and Scott Campitelli, Vermont Access Network.

Media Maven: Net Neutrality Court Ruling and What it Means for Vermont 10/03/2018

Save the Date: Public Hearing: Vermont Legislative PEG Study Committee hosts a Public Hearing on Monday, October 21, 2019 (10 a.m. - 12 p.m.) in Room 10 of the Statehouse in Montpelier - PEG Study Committee is looking into new ways of supporting Vermont’s 25 community media centers as cable revenue declines. Important news from DC District Court of Appeals Order 10/1/19 Court sustains FCC reclassification of Internet from Title 2 (Telecom Service) to Title 1 (Information service) Tells FCC they cannot pre-empt state authority to regulate internet Remands Order back to FCC to reconsider impact on public safetly, pole-attachment regulation, and the Lifeline Program The case will be appealed, so Vermont implementation of Net Neutrality laws will be delayed Find the decision at Mozilla v. FCC DECISION 18-1051-1808766.pdf Contact Lauren-Glenn Davitian at davitian' @'cctv.org. VAN for more information http://vermontaccess.net/

Digital Civic Underground: Data and Metrics 01/23/2018

Julia Vallera presents a friendly and engaging conversation and exploration into data and metrics related to Internet usage and accessibility in Vermont.

People of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities are invited to the first of many conversations that will bring people together, foster conversation, and draw attention to the digital divide that impacts many diverse communities in and around Burlington, Vermont.

Digital Civic Underground 12/12/2017

Julia Vallera presents a friendly and engaging conversation about digital inclusion and digital accessibility in Vermont.

Congressman Peter Welch: Vermonters to Make Views Heard on FCC’s Pending Reversal of Net Neutrality 05/16/2017

BURLINGTON, Vt. - Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) urges Vermonters to make their views known to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) about its plan to allow internet service providers to create a fast lane on the internet for large corporate customers willing to pay a fee to move their content ahead of other internet users. Welch, a longtime advocate of a free and open internet, strongly opposes the FCC plan. He is joined at the press conference by Mark Heyman from Logic Supply and John Kitonis from Inntopia.com.

“Creating a fast lane on the internet for those who can afford it is a gift to internet service providers and bad for consumers, entrepreneurs, and an open democracy,” Welch said. “Now is the time for concerned Vermonters to speak up by encouraging the FCC to maintain a free and open internet for all users.”

On April 26, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai announced a proposal to eliminate its policy of ‘net neutrality’ under which all users have equal access to the internet. The notice of proposed rulemaking is expected to be voted on by FCC Commissioners later this week on Thursday, May 18. If approved, that action will initiate a new rulemaking process to gut the agency’s open internet policy. The comment period will remain open until August 16.

Vermonters wishing to make their views known to the FCC in advance of Thursday’s vote can complete an online comment form at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings/express.

In the ‘Proceeding(s)’ box, enter ’17-108’ or ‘restoring internet freedom’.

Senator Patrick Leahy: U.S. Senate Field Hearing In Vermont On Open Internet Rules 07/01/2014

Senator Patrick Leahy, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, holds a field hearing in Vermont on “Preserving an Open Internet: Rules to Promote Competition and Protect Main Street Consumers.” A panel of four witnesses testify at the hearing, including Michael Copps, a former Commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission; Martha Reid, Vermont State Librarian; Cabot Orton, proprietor of the Vermont Country Store; and Lisa Groeneveld, co-owner and Chief Operating Officer of the South Burlington-based Logic Supply Inc.

The Judiciary Committee field hearing focuses on the need to restore open Internet rules to replace FCC rules that were struck down earlier this year by the D.C. Circuit Court, including the rule prohibiting broadband providers from blocking lawful content and the rule barring them from unreasonably discriminating against lawful Internet traffic. The FCC currently is accepting public comments on a new set of proposed open Internet rules.

Leahy recently introduced legislation to require the FCC to ban so-called “paid prioritization” agreements between broadband providers and content providers, to help prevent creation of a two-tiered Internet system. The legislation, the Online Competition and Consumer Choice Act, would ensure that start-ups, entrepreneurs and small businesses, like the Vermont Country Store and Logic Supply, have ready access to the marketplace.

The Senator is joined by Vermont's sole Representative to Congress, Peter Welch (D).

Net Neutrality Panel at Vermont International Film Festival 10/24/2010

Sponsored by Free Speech TV: A panel discussion with panelists Georgia Sugimura Archer (Film Director), Casey Rae-Hunter (Communications Director & Policy Strategist, Future of Music Coalition), Josh Levy (Free Press) and panel moderator Jon Stout of Free Speech TV, about the topical issues surrounding the open internet.

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Applications Now Open for the Spring 2025 Cohort of the Neighborhood Community Media Internship Program

Town Meeting TV is excited to announce that applications are now open for the Spring 2025 cohort of the Neighborhood Community Media Internship program. Join up to 8 other youth to engage in interesting media making projects! This paid media internship opportunity is designed for youth aged 16-20 who are eager to gain professional experience in the audio-visual field and develop a deeper understanding of their local community. The group will meet under the leadership of Town Meeting TV's Travis Washington from the end of January 2025 to the beginning of June 2025, on a schedule agreed upon by the whole cohort. Click here to apply!