Harold Feld, Senior Vice President of Media Access Project (MAP) issued the following statement regarding the FCC’s actions on cable franchising and exclusive contracts:
bq. “Today, the FCC gives to the American people with one hand, but takes back with the other. Ending exclusive contracts for cable services will ensure that all Americans can enjoy the benefits of choice, such as lower prices and better service, wherever they live. But preempting local franchising authority will deprive the public of the best way to guarantee that cable providers and competitors meet the needs of their local communities. Local franchising authorities provided a needed local advocate and counterweight against the power of these multi-billion dollar companies, who all too frequently ignore the needs of individual citizens or even whole neighborhoods of less “desirable” customers.”
Read the “press release”:http://www.mediaaccess.org/press/2007-10-31-Cable-PressRelease.pdf