Members of the Philadelphia Digital Justice Campaign are concerned about the potential merger between Comcast and NBC-Universal. And you should be, too. Here's why:

If the FCC approves the deal, it is obvious that consumers will end up paying higher fees for both content and access to programming. The cable giant already raises fees every few months, as it is!

In addition, Comcast would have unprecedented control over what programming we are able to watch and how we can watch it. The company could easily squash online TV like Netflix, Miro and iTunes.

Finally, if the merger goes through, Comcast will have an incentive to promote NBC shows over local or independent programming. This will make it even tougher to find alternative voices on cable.

Another thing to consider is the role Comcast could be playing in blocking the city from obtaining millions of dollars in broadband stimulus funds. Why would Comcast care? Because the funds would help pay for Philadelphia to build a publicly owned broadband network that would, eventually, offer residents affordable and reliable Internet access. The Inquirer's Joseph DiStefano wrote about the issue earlier this month:

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/technology/Why_didnt_PA_back_Phill...

The Philadelphia Digital Justice Campaign is starting to strategize around these issues. Hope you'll join us. Stay tuned for details.

This was originally a comment on the thread about the Daily News articles criticizing the way the city has approached the stimulus proposals in the ARRA.

I wanted to repost this as a standalone because I believe this was one instance of Philadelphia getting it right.

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This year I had the honor of working with Media Mobilizing Project (www.mediamobilizing.org) in their successful efforts at organizing the Digital Justice Coalition, a citywide coalition of Philadelphians ranging from PhillyFIGHT to SEIU to the Taxi Workers Union to the Public School Notebook, to come together to address the city’s digital divide (one of the worst in the nation.)

OneWebDay Philadelphia

Broadband experts to address Philadelphia’s digital future on Sept. 22.

Join a discussion about local and national Internet policy on OneWebDay.

Philadelphia residents will have an opportunity to participate in a discussion about the future of local broadband access during a Sept. 22 policy panel. The event is being held at the University of the Arts as part of Philadelphia’s inaugural OneWebDay celebration. The panel is the latest in a series of public events meant to encourage dialogue about the Nutter administration’s promise to expand affordable and reliable Internet access to all Philadelphians. The event will be held Tuesday, Sept. 22, at the University of the Arts, 320 South Broad Street in the Connelly Auditorium at 7 p.m.

Confirmed panelists include:
• Allen Frank, chief information officer for the city of Philadelphia

Earthlink did not begin dismantling its citywide wireless network June 12, as the company previously threatened. Therefore, it is highly probably new owners are poised to assume control of the network, valued at $17 million. Last week, mayoral spokesperson Doug Oliver confirmed that Earthlink has been in negotiations with potential buyers, and the press reports Earthlink has been talking to a group of local investors. Along with a change in ownership, an exciting opportunity may exist for Philadelphia's WiFi initiative to serve as a national model for community media. The promise of low-cost Internet access for all Philadelphians could finally be fulfilled, but only if local residents publicly demand it.

Who knows? Perhaps Earthlink's Wireless Philadelphia initiative would have survived, had the public been given the opportunity to participate in the early phases of the project. In hopes of avoiding the mistakes of the past, the Media Mobilizing Project and Temple University's School of Communications and Theater are co-hosting a public forum to discuss the future of affordable broadband Internet access in Philadelphia. This is your chance to help shape the future of the network and ensure that all Philadelphians--regardless of their income or education levels--have access to affordable, high-speed Internet.

When: Wednesday, June 18, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Tuttleman Learning Center, Room 105,
Corner of 13th St. and Montgomery Ave. Temple University

The organizers have lined up a great panel, including:
Mark Rupp, Principle, Boathouse Communications
Beth McConnell, Executive Director, Media and Democracy Coalition
Karl Garcia, Technical Staff, Google's Wireless network, Mountainview, Calif.
Greg Goldman, CEO of Wireless Philadelphia
Phuong Ninh, Philadelphia Student Union's Youth Leadership Team
Bill Green City Councilman-At Large
(We've also invited a representative from the Nutter administration and are hopeful that someone will show.)

Please, join us Wednesday evening to participate in a discussion about affordable broadband access. This issue cuts across every aspect of our lives, from opportunities for education to civic engagement. Hope to see you there!

FROM THE MEDIA MOBILIZING PROJECT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
6/13/08

Press contacts:
Todd Wolfson (MMP): 215.990.3702
Gwen Shaffer: 267.475.1441

The Future of Philadelphia's Wireless Internet Initiative:
A Public Forum

When: Wednesday, June 18, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Tuttleman Learning Center, Room 105,
Corner of 13th St. and Montgomery Ave. Temple University

Panelists Include:
Mark Rupp, Principle, Boathouse Communications
Beth McConnell, Executive Director, Media and Democracy Coalition
Karl Garcia, Technical Staff, Google's Wireless network, Mountainview, Calif.
Greg Goldman, CEO of Wireless Philadelphia
Phuong Ninh, Philadelphia Student Union's Youth Leadership Team
Bill Green City Councilman-At Large
Invited, representative from the Nutter administration