Andrew Jay Schwartzman, President and CEO, and Harold Feld, Senior Vice President of Media Access Project, issued the following statement regarding the FCC’s decision on cable leased access and “70/70:”
bq. “At the end of the day, literally and figuratively, the cable industry’s mighty lobbying machine could not entirely stop Chairman Martin’s commendable effort to introduce [...]

Media Access Project filed a letter on behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Office of Communication of the United Church of Christ, and the National Hispanic Media Coalition demanding that the FCC recognize that the Congressional “70/70″ measurement of cable market power has been met. The excessive power of cable operators [...]

In a letter to Commissioners Deborah Taylor Tate and Robert M. McDowell, MAP responded to claims by the NCTA of the arbitrariness of data indicating that cable penetration has reached the 70/70 threshold. NCTA and the cable industry have consistently withheld subscriber data, leading industry publishers such as Warren, Kagan, and Nielsen to underreport the [...]

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 [...]

Media Access Project filed reply comments in the FCC’s leased access proceeding, highlighting the abusive practices carried out by cable operators to discourage use of leased access programming. Congress established the cable leased access program to promote diversity of programming and encourage vigorous competition in the video programming market. Although cable operators claim the leased [...]

On behalf of a diverse coalition of artist, media reform, religious, and public interest groups, including the National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture, Media Access Project filed comments urging the Commission to reform its cable leased access program and provide independent programmers a legitimate opportunity to reach cable viewers. Through stonewalling, price gouging and [...]

On behalf of independent producers, and a diverse coalition of media reform, religious, consumer, and civil rights groups, MAP filed a letter with the FCC applauding reports that Chairman Kevin Martin has circulated an order reaffirming the FCC’s 30% limit on the number of cable subscribers any one company can control.
bq. “The cable companies have [...]