Paula Flores and Irma Monreal mothers of the victims of border femicide (systematic killing of women) were invited to speak at the first event of the year for Albuquerque Center for Peace and Justice ( http://abqpeaceandjustice.org/calSE2010A.html ).  The event was a chance for the mothers of the West Mesa murder victims to meet and share their experiences with the mothers of murdered women in Chihuahua City and Juarez, MX. Irma Monreal initiated the dialogue by reminding those present how violence against women crosses all borders, especially in areas most vulnerable where disenfranchised communities exist. Both mothers in their speech urged the Albuquerque community to offer all the support and cooperation to the families of the victims of the West Mesa murders.  Paula Flores in her testimony spoke of the experience she had with the inactions and abuse her family experienced with the authorities and news media, "They dismiss the cases by labeling them as prostitutes... my daughter was a student who worked; she was involved in planning her 15th birthday...  Even if that was the case, the government should ask themselves 'why?' Why would they have to dedicate themselves to prostitution, what societal force is leading them to this."

Paula added to her testimony, "...I was completely focused on what happened to my 'Reyna', all they did to my daughter, and it made me feel good in seeing what my community was lacking and doing something about it..." Paula spoke of her experience and outcome in bringing the Mexican government to an international court of law where the court ruled that Mexico was negligent in these femicides.

The mother's presenting expressed more than once the similiarities between their stories and those of the families of the West Mesa victims. Media Literacy Prject sees these tragedies and the way they are dealt with Media Justice issues that have to be elevated into the consciousness and commitment of all our communities and the leadership of our local and national government.

Less than Half of African Americans and Hispanics Regularly Use the Internet

Yet Overwhelming Majority Agrees that Internet Access is Critical to Success in Education, Business, Community and Family Life

http://benton.org/outgoingframe/30602?utm_campaign=Benton%27s+Headlines&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=2009/12/16/nid-30632&

Free Digital Literacy Programs More Valuable to Hispanics and African Americans than Free Internet AccessCalifornia State Assembly Speaker Emeritus Fabian Núñez, Rey Ramsey, CEO of Nonprofit OneEconomy, among Speakers Addressing Opportunities and Advantages of Broadband Internet.

WASHINGTON D.C. – December 10, 2009 – Only 42 percent of African Americans and Hispanics regularly use the Internet, yet they overwhelmingly agree that Internet access is critical to achieving success, according to new findings from a national survey of 900 minority adults conducted by Brilliant Corners Research, led by Pollster Cornell Belcher. The results from this survey will be revealed today in Washington, D.C., at the Internet Innovation Alliance’s (IIA) Symposium, “Universal Broadband:  Access for All Americans.”

Featured keynote speaker and highly-regarded Democratic pollster Cornell Belcher will address the poll results and shed light on the lessons that can be extrapolated to accelerate progress in closing the digital divide.

“In this groundbreaking survey we found that members in two of the country’s largest minority communities believe that Internet access is essential for many critical daily activities, including staying in touch with family, online education and research, job hunting and networking, and accessing information about health care, weather and traffic,” said Belcher, principal author of the report.  “And yet alarmingly, less than half – 42 percent – of the same demographic regularly uses the Internet.”

Members of African American and Hispanic communities believe in the value of high-speed broadband Internet, as opposed to outdated, slower dial-up service. In fact, nearly one-in-five respondents (18%) identified ‘speed of connection’ as the one thing they would change to make it easier to access the Internet – even more so than if Internet access were free (10%).

“It’s extremely important to note that the top answer given by those polled for how to ‘make it easier to access the Internet’ was [faster] speed of connection,” said IIA Co-Chairman Bruce Mehlman. “Policy makers working toward universal broadband must understand that speed of connections – achieved via robust investments in infrastructure and effective network management – are essential for both access and adoption.”

For an open-ended question on ‘one thing you could change that would make you more likely to want to access the Internet,’ affordability ranked near the top of the list. This result points to the fact that many groups are price-sensitive and that higher costs of broadband access could hurt adoption if communities of color are deterred from capitalizing on the benefits of high-speed Internet.

“It is very telling that of those respondents who do not have Internet access, 43 percent cited either not knowing how to use the Internet or not seeing the need for the Internet as the reason why they are not online,” said IIA Co-Chairman David Sutphen. “But interestingly, 44 percent of these same respondents said they would be more likely to subscribe to Internet services if they were provided free lessons on how to use the technology and 30 percent would be more likely to adopt if they had more information about how they could benefit from going online. It’s clear that digital literacy programs indeed are a crucial part of the formula for closing the digital divide.”

Poll respondents strongly agree on several Internet-enabled, life-changing benefits that make access so valuable:

* More than 60 percent (64%) of those polled strongly believe the Internet is important, because students with access can receive tutoring and help with their homework.

* Forty-three percent of respondents strongly agree that students with Internet access achieve higher grades.

* More than three in five (61%) strongly feel households with Internet access have greater access to commerce, education, health care, entertainment and communication.

* Approximately half (48%) strongly agree that Internet is valuable, because tech-connected families receive more health information.

* More than 60 percent (62%) strongly believe individuals with Internet access have more opportunities to work from home.

* Nearly seven in ten (68%) respondents strongly agree that small business owners with Internet access are better able to reach and expand their customer base.

* One in two (51%) strongly feel Internet access increases awareness and access to government services.

Most of the respondents said they accessed the Internet from home –  78 percent – and slightly more than two-thirds (68%) said they access the Internet from a private portal, as opposed to a public portal, such as at anchor institutions like the library.

“It is clear that home Internet connections are critically important to expanding broadband access and adoption in communities of color,” said Sutphen.  “Policy makers would be wise to keep this reality in mind as they consider ways to continue closing the digital divide and ensure that all Americans can benefit from broadband.”

Congressional approval of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) allocated $7.2 billion for broadband development and charged the FCC with creating a national broadband plan, due to Congress in February 2010. According to the IIA, an effective National Broadband Strategy will enable the government to partner with the private sector to extend broadband service to every corner of the country, while at the same time raising awareness of its benefits.

The IIA Symposium today will feature leaders and innovators specialized in leveraging high-speed broadband Internet to enhance the lives of the disadvantaged, such as California State Assembly Speaker Emeritus Fabian Núñez and Rey Ramsey, CEO of nonprofit organization OneEconomy, which equips low-income communities with the power and promise of the Internet.

Through discussions led by top minds in the technology field, the symposium will examine the opportunities and advantages broadband Internet brings to education, job searching, creation and training, health care, community building, entertainment and civic participation; wireless Internet as a bridge over the digital divide; the benefits of online content for minority communities; the economic impacts of broadband deployment; the future of broadband technology; and the likely impact of government actions to promote or diminish broadband deployment and adoption.

Other participants in today’s broadband symposium include Jeff Johnson, The Truth with Jeff Johnson; Denmark West, BET; Jimmy Lynn, JLynn Associates; Maria Teresa Petersen, Voto Latino; Dr. Joseph P. Fuhr, Widener University, American Consumer Institute; Dr. Elaine Kamarck, Harvard Kennedy School; Brian Foley, Northern Virginia Community College, Medical Education Campus; Valerie Fast Horse, Coeur D’Alene Tribe; Paul Schroeder, American Foundation for the Blind; and Navarrow Wright, Maximum Leverage Solutions.

The IIA Symposium begins at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. A live webcast of the event is available via the Internet Innovation Alliance website at http://www.internetinnovation.org/activities/Broadband-Symposium.  The IIA’s blog “The Podium” will also feature symposium updates in real-time.

# # #

Methodology

These findings are from a survey conducted by brilliant corners Research & Strategies on behalf of the IIA, which reached 700 African American and 200 Hispanic adults over the age of 18 using professional telephone interviewers from December 1 through December 7, 2009. The data was weighted slightly by gender, age, race and region to more closely reflect the general population. The margin of error for the combined sample is +/-3.3%.

About The Internet Innovation Alliance

The Internet Innovation Alliance is a broad-based coalition of business and non-profit organizations that aim to ensure every American, regardless of race, income or geography, has access to the critical tool that is broadband Internet. The IIA seeks to promote public policies that support equal opportunity for universal broadband availability and adoption so that everyone, everywhere can seize the benefits of the Internet – from education to health care, employment to community building, civic engagement and beyond.

For more information contact:

Lauren DuBois

(212) 446-1865

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Albuquerque, NM--On  Nov. 17th former Mayor Marty Chavez cancelled Quote-Unquote Inc.'s valid 4 year contract to run public access TV Channel 27 and Encantada TV Channel 26.

This action appears to be solely political and perhaps a mean to reward his campaign supporters. If we don't defeat this maneuver it is CERTAIN the channels will go dark on January 1st.

We are requesting that Mayor R.J. Berry toss out the new Request for Proposal issued by former Mayor Chavez and recognize the legitimate contract given to Quote…Unquote back in May 2009.

The rescinding of our contract is illegal and retaliatory. Stop the giveaway of YOUR public channels!

We invite the media to attend a press conference on this issue, Tuesday, December 8^th at 12pm, to be held in front of the studios of channels 26 & 27 (415 Tijeras NW, SE entrance of the Old Bernalillo County Courthouse, facing the Civic Plaza).

Network Neutrality, Universal Broadband, and Racial Justice

from the Center for Media Justice....

What is Net Neutrality?

Net Neutrality ensures that Internet users can access any website, service, or application of their choice without interference or discrimination by the Internet Service Provider (“ISP”). This means that once a consumer buys an Internet service connection, he or she can choose to access any lawful content without fear that the ISP will block or impair access to it. Net Neutrality prevents ISPs from censoring content for any reason or giving preferential treatment to any specific website, service, or application based merely on its content, message, or ownership. This non-discrimination concept has been the guiding principle for the Internet since its inception, and at one time was the law.

Why is Net Neutrality a civil rights issue?

The Internet has the potential to increase equity in media access and political participation for historically marginalized communities. Due to high barriers to entry in television, radio, and cable, traditional media outlets have not included enough diverse voices, or provided content that is significant and relevant to underrepresented groups. With lower barriers to entry, the Internet can create a platform where these groups can speak for themselves and on behalf of their communities, to wider audiences. Neutral networks grant equal opportunity to every idea and can help ensure that communities of color do not experience the same lack of representation they have in other media platforms.

How does Net Neutrality help communities of color?

• Net Neutrality is community-based and people-centered policy.

Neutral networks lead to more empowered communities. Rather than focus on corporate service providers, Internet policy should address the human impact: the opportunity for all people—regardless of their digital skills, or geographic and socio-economic situation—to create, access, and share information useful for their own life plans. Net Neutrality is rooted in fairness, equality, and freedom, and can support the creation of digitally empowered communities of color.

• Net Neutrality can help drive adoption and innovation.

Studies suggest that home adoption rates for broadband Internet service are low among communities of color. However, the accessibility and availability of more relevant content could help underscore the importance of the Internet. Net Neutrality will ensure that the Internet remains a platform for innovation, equality, connection, and community, and as a result a valued space for economic growth and democratic engagement in communities of color.

• Net Neutrality can help close the digital divide.

When fairness is the rule, ISPs invest more. Publicly available data indicates that investment by the telephone companies was actually higher and rose substantially during the time when ISPs were subject to Net Neutrality– like regulations stemming from the 1996 Telecommunications Act. Moreover, decisions on investment and deployment are not dictated simply by Net Neutrality regulations, but depend on factors such as demand and supply, costs, competition, and overall confidence in the economy.

What is Universal Broadband?

Universal Broadband refers to the effort to define broadband as a Title II service, which would extend several FCC public interest obligations to broadband and make broadband service eligible for Universal Service Fund (USF) support. Universal Service is a concept established in 1934 to make rapid, efficient, nation- and worldwide wire and radio communication available to all people in the United States at reasonable rates, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. If the FCC declares broadband a Universal Service in the National Broadband Plan, it could:

• Promote the availability of quality broadband services at just, reasonable, and affordable rates, and increase access to quality broadband services throughout the nation—specifically to unserved and underserved communities.
• Open broadband up to full USF support and expand available resources, creating subsidies to consumers that alleviate pressure on their monthly bills and subsidies for companies seeking to build out networks to unserved and underserved areas.
• Require broadband to have neutral networks that are operated in an open and nondiscriminatory manner and provide reasonably symmetric service (this means that both download and upload capacity would be protected), treating consumers as active speakers, rather than passive listeners.

Why is Universal Broadband a civil rights issue?

The nearly 70-year commitment of Congress and the FCC to Universal Service has helped to deliver essential telecommunications services and connect rural areas, the poor, schools, libraries, and communities of color to jobs, education, services, and health care. It made the telephone an indispensable communication tool, and increased the value of the public network to all users. However, serious inequities still exist. Defining broadband as a public infrastructure and Universal Service will address these inequities, help foster economic growth and democratic engagement in the poorest communities, and increase their quality of life in immeasurable ways. Broadband access and deployment to poor communities, communities of color, and rural communities is essential to the public health and public safety of our nation.

How does defining broadband as a Universal Service help communities of color?

• Broadband is a critical piece of national infrastructure, we must protect it.

As we move into the 21st century, all people—and especially communities of color—need an affordable, accessible and well-distributed national Internet backbone. As the numbers of people of color using the Internet, and its relevance in their lives, grows, it is imperative that this critical national infrastructure not be left to the whims of the market.

• Universal Broadband helps build empowered, engaged, connected communities.

Though the numbers of people of color online are growing, a significant digital divide still exists. As a Universal Service, broadband access and deployment to poor communities, communities of color, and rural communities will improve educational and health outcomes, support local business, and increase democratic participation and good governance. Universal Broadband can expand our ability to build community, remain culturally connected, and advocate for change.

• Universal Broadband will increase racial justice and economic equity.

Universal Broadband will help to close the digital—and the democracy—divide, and reduce existing economic and racial gaps. Government, business, and organizations have a responsibility to champion universal accessibility, challenge anti-competitive behavior, and address unmet community needs through increasing the access, quality, and relevance of broadband services.