Just received this alert from the Free Press (www.mediareform.net) list. -- Leif Utne Associate Editor, Utne Magazine 612.338.5040 x348 www.utne.com http://public.xdi.org/=Leif.Utne -- Begin forwarded message: > Dear Media Reformer: > > Community Internet may be the most important media policy fight of > the decade. Local communities across the country -- looking to offer > affordable, universal access to high-speed broadband services -- are > squaring off against big cable and telephone companies determined to > outlaw the competition. > > In a few years, all communications -- TV, radio, Internet and > telephone -- will come through broadband Internet connections. If Big > Media has its way, access will cost more than $100 a month, and > corporations -- not communities -- will determine what information is > available and what's not. > > The fight for tomorrow's technology is being waged today. Here's what > you can do: > > 1. Watch Free Press Policy Director Ben Scott on tonight's broadcast > of NOW, the PBS news magazine. (Click here to check your local > listings.) Then visit Free Press' new Community Internet site to learn > more. > > 2. A rapid response from vocal citizens is the only way to stop the > cable and telephone companies when they try to sneak in bad > legislation under the radar. Help us win the next battle by getting 10 > people to sign up now as Free Press e-activists for future actions. > It's free and takes only a few seconds. > > 3. Meet and strategize with other activists working to defend > Community Internet at the National Conference for Media Reform in St. > Louis on May 13-15. You can register for the conference online or by > calling (866) 462-2838. We need you to be there to build this > important campaign. > > With your help, we can stop Big Media -- and win the struggle for the > future of communications in America. > > Onward, > > Josh Silver > Executive Director > Free Press > > P.S. Early bird registration for the conference is still available, > but not for much longer. Register now.