C-SPAN Companion Networks

Author:
n/a
Send To:
U.S. Congress and the FCC

Sponsored By:
Citizens for C-SPAN Companion Networks
More Info at:

We, the undersigned, while believing in the importance of a Free Market and Freedom of Speech, also believe in the importance of The Public Airwaves to be used as mandated by the FCC "...In the Public Interest, Necessity, and Convenience." We believe the use of The Public Airwaves is crucial to spread knowledge, culture, and civics. We therefore write to petition you to consider major changes in the allocation of the Broadcast Spectrum.

The Public Airwaves are a Vast Toxic Wasteland.
Congress needs to hold hearing on THE STATE OF THE AIRWAVES.
They would find:

1) That the Broadcast and Cable companies have not lived up to using the Public Airwaves, as the FCC mandated "... in the spirit of Public Interest, Necessity, and Convenience."

2) That the FCC and Congress have " given away, rent free", the Public Airwaves.

3) That the Broadcast and Cable companies have "... made so much money doing IT'S worst, IT can't afford to do better."

In the 1990's the FCC, with much support from the Congress, auctioned off portions of the Broadcast Spectrum. One portion of the Spectrum that was being auctioned would potentially reach 16 million customers (citizens). Almost as many people as the population of the state of Texas.

That particular portion sold for $3.00. Three dollars! When former FCC chairman Reed was asked to comment, he said "...I wish I had three dollars".

This cavalier policy and stewardship of the Public Airwaves has been good for the Broadcast and Cable companies, and their stock holders. And absolutely hideous for Civics, Public Affairs, and Democracy.

Before 2009, the FCC will give away more of the Public Airwaves, worth between 80-100 billion dollars. Once again, the Public will be outside, looking in, as the Broadcast Spectrum goes to the highest campaign contributors.

What does the Public receive from the License holders, for their use of the Broadcast Spectrum? Inexpensive Cable and Satellite packages? Intellectually stimulating programs broadcast into our homes at no charge? Choices and Diversity? Event coverage and programming with redeemable qualities? Or is it "...500 channels and still there's nothing worth watching".

There are many Independent, Grassroots, and Localized ways to use the Broadcast Spectrum. But on the National level, the Country needs more Public affairs, more Civics. The unedited, undefiled paradigm C-SPAN has perfected, is the only thing We can all agree on. It promotes Democracy and Participation. Not even the corporate media conglomerates can be against Democracy.

We therefore call on the Congress, and the FCC, to hold hearings on the benefits of more C-SPAN. And to take steps to move forward with the endeavor of creating more C-SPAN Companion Networks. When there is more than enough Broadcast Spectrum to dedicate to Civics, Culture, History and Democracy, We should not allow greed to get in the way of the Public Interest, Necessity and Convenience.

Put the Public back in the Public Airwaves.

191 Signatures

James St Martin
- Political Affiliation
- Green/ Independent
- City, State
- Yakima, Wa
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- http://www.cspanjunkies.org
Autumn Scheid
- Political Affiliation
- Democrat
- City, State
- Wichita, KS
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- В
Frank T Bieniek Jr
- City, State
- Lodi NJ
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
Rasha
- Political Affiliation
- Independent
- City, State
- New York
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- Thank God for C-SPAN. The only program on air worth watching!
Gregory R. White
- City, State
- Bristol, PA
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
Chris Villalobos
- Political Affiliation
- Democrat
- City, State
- pendleton, SC
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
Pamela
- City, State
- berne,ny
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
Jessica Cresseveur
- Political Affiliation
- В
- City, State
- New Albany, Indiana
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- В
L C Byrd
- Political Affiliation
- В
- City, State
- Sacramento CA
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- Our only source of real news!
Desiree
- Political Affiliation
- Independent
- City, State
- Yakima WA
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- C-SPAN Junky
De Wayne Williams
- Political Affiliation
- Democrat
- City, State
- Los Angeles
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- We need more input from the Average American
Jeff Morris
- City, State
- Evanston, Wyoming
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
Carol Gould
- City, State
- Washington, DC
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
Patrice Cortese
- Political Affiliation
- Democrat
- City, State
- Homer, NY
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
dortha king
- Political Affiliation
- libertarian
- City, State
- cocoa, florida
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- go c-span go
John Delgado
- City, State
- Jamaica Plain, MA
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
Elizabeth Doughty
- City, State
- Arnold, MD
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- Even my 12 year-old daughter learns good goverance without even knowing it
Amy Toledo
- Political Affiliation
- В
- City, State
- mays landing, nj
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- В
Gilda Grossman
- Political Affiliation
- В
- City, State
- Los Angeles, California
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- В
a.adamson
- Political Affiliation
- absolutely none
- City, State
- hilo, hawaii
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- uk expatriate
MerryLeigh Giarratano
- City, State
- Dunwoody, GA
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
ned hildebrand
- Political Affiliation
- Rep,
- City, State
- lawrenceburg,indiana
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
Cyn Nagele
- Political Affiliation
- Democrat
- City, State
- New York
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
Darnel C. Tanksley
- City, State
- Philadelphia, PA
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- I love Brian Lamb
William M. Lever
- Political Affiliation
- Workers Rights Party
- City, State
- Wama Springs, ME
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- The call of freedom is the voice of America, and cannot be silenced!
Eileen A Nielsen
- Political Affiliation
- В
- City, State
- Hemet California
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- We absolutely need more C-Span channels
Eileen A Nielsen
- Political Affiliation
- В
- City, State
- Hemet California
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- We absolutely need more C-Span channels
Thomas Vernaz
- Political Affiliation
- progresive
- City, State
- Charlotte NC
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- Stop this insane killing for personal gain
RonaLee Kleiman
- Political Affiliation
- В
- City, State
- Pahoa, Hawai`i
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- 'bout time! Thanks for this opportunity. I hope it effects the desired change. Hope, after all, springs eternal..
Christopher Rawlings
- Political Affiliation
- Democrat
- City, State
- Kennebunk, ME
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- C-Span RULES !!!!
Christopher Rawlings
- Political Affiliation
- Democrat
- City, State
- Kennebunk, ME
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- C-Span RULES !!!!
Naureen Warren
- Political Affiliation
- Independent
- City, State
- Lander, Wyoming
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- Responsible citizenship demands an informed public
Dustin Whitney
- Political Affiliation
- none
- City, State
- Salt Lake City, Utah
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- I'd actually like to see more internet broadcasting. Not all of the cspan programs are available on the internet.
Davette Wakefield
- Political Affiliation
- democrat
- City, State
- Everett, WA
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
ruth michalski
- City, State
- Buffalo Grove, Il
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
Richard S. Mantsch
- City, State
- Washington, DC
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
Kristen Sumner
- Political Affiliation
- Independent
- City, State
- San Antonio, TX
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- Love Cspan!
Pantelis K Panteli
- City, State
- Jamestown, NY
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
Karen F. Sanal
- Political Affiliation
- independent
- City, State
- Flemington, New Jersey
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
Robert J. Della Penna
- Political Affiliation
- Independent
- City, State
- Mokena, Illinois
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- CSPAN sets the minimum standard that all media sources should follow.
Richard Carron
- Political Affiliation
- Democrat
- City, State
- San Francisco, CA
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
Carol Vass
- Political Affiliation
- В
- City, State
- Kent, WA
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- В
Jim Finnegan
- City, State
- Tazewell, TN
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- It's about time!
Donna McCaffrey
- City, State
- Everett, WA
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
Pat Frederick
- Political Affiliation
- В
- City, State
- Downingtown
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- В
Nancy Finnegan
- City, State
- Tazewell, TN
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
Anne McMahon
- City, State
- Santa Margarita, CA
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- I LOVE C-SPAN
Susan Sims
- Political Affiliation
- Democrat
- City, State
- Fort Valley, GA
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- Good luck in this marvelous endeavor!
Susan Sims
- Political Affiliation
- Democrat
- City, State
- Fort Valley, GA
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- Good luck in this marvelous endeavor!
roabert j. presbie
- City, State
- new paltz, new york 12561
- Current C-SPAN Viewer
- No
- Comments
- cspan provides an excellent way to inform the public abut governmental issues and give the puplic programs that are of important educational significance, eg., weekend book shows on cspan-2, etc.

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