community-based, non-corporate, participatory media
community-based, non-corporate, participatory media
Rustbelt Radio for July 21, 2008
by Pittsburgh IMC: Rustbelt Radio collective
Tuesday, Jul. 22, 2008 at 2:08 PM
radio@indypgh.org (email address validated) 412-923-3000 WRCT 88.3 FM
On this week's show... * a special report with excerpts from the FCC public hearing on the future of the internet, held on July 21st in Pittsburgh
audio link: 
MP3 at 27.5 mebibytes
Welcome to this week's edition of Rustbelt Radio, the Pittsburgh Independent Media Center's weekly review of the news from the grassroots, news overlooked by the corporate media.
On today's show...
Rustbelt Radio is broadcast live from WRCT studios every Monday at 6 PM on 88.3 FM in Pittsburgh, and the program airs again on WRCT every Tuesday morning at 9AM.
We can also be heard weekly on the following stations:
We're also available on the internet, both on WRCT's live webstream at W-R-C-T dot ORG and for download, stream or podcast from our website at radio dot I-N-D-Y-P-G-H dot org.
On Monday, July 21st, Carnegie Mellon University's McConomy Auditorium was host to an FCC hearing on future of the internet. All five Federal Communications Commissioners traveled from Washington, DC, to meet face-to-face with the public to discuss issues of internet access and digital media. The hearing was broken into two panels, entitled "The Future of Digital Media" and "The Broadband of Tomorrow", and followed by a question-and-answer session. Afterwards the commissioners heard comments from the public.
Rustbelt Radio will present excerpts from a few of the speakers as well as from the public comment. But before we hear from the event, we'll provide some background on important social issues related to these topics.
According to the US Census Bureau, less than 50% of of Pennsylvania's households have broadband Internet access. Timothy Karr, campaign director of Free Press, says (quote) "It is unacceptable that the country that invented the Internet still has so many communities stranded on the wrong side of the digital divide. Until we make it a national priority to bring affordable, high-speed Internet to all Americans, the situation will only get worse. This forum is an important opportunity for Pennsylvanians to weigh in on how to get our digital future back on track." (end quote)
Rustbelt Radio spoke to Tim Karr of Free Press about online democracy and the issues surrounding Net Neutrality.
Topics discussed during Monday's 4 and a half hour hearing included the broadband digital divide, broadband and Internet access as crucial to modern democracy, Net Neutrality, online privacy and freedom of speech. The event was broadcast live on WRCT.
Representative Mike Doyle, who represents Pittsburgh in the U.S. Congress, opened up the hearing.
FCC Commissioner Michael Copps:
Marge Krueger spoke on behalf of the Communication Workers of America.
Carnegie Mellon professor Rahul Tongia spoke as part of a panel addressing government action to expand broadband internet infrastructure and access
Scott Walsten of the Technology Policy Institute, another panelist:
You are listening to excerpts from the July 21st FCC Hearing on the Future of the Internet, held at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. We'll now hear from the public comment section of the hearing:
Those were excerpts from the July 21st FCC Hearing on the Future of the Internet, held at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. For the latest information on the hearing, you can visit http://www.savetheinternet.com/
[ Outro Music ]
Thanks for tuning in to Rustbelt Radio here on WRCT Pittsburgh, WPTS Pittsburgh, WNJR Washington, WVJW Benwood, and WIUP Indiana.
Our host this week is Jessica McPherson with contributions from Ellen Pierson, Jessica McPherson, Jon Heiman, and Matt Toups. This week's show was produced by Matt Toups. Special thanks to all of our hosts, producers, and contributors. Also special thanks to Brandon Kuczenski and Sal Farina for assisting with today's live broadcast on WRCT.
You can get involved with Rustbelt Radio! To contact us, or to send us your comments, email RADIO at I-N-D-Y-P-G-H dot ORG. All of our shows are available for download or podcast on our website at RADIO dot INDY-P-G-H dot ORG and this show can be heard again Tuesday morning on WRCT at 9 AM after Democracy Now!
Tune in next week at this time for another edition of Rustbelt Radio, the Pittsburgh Independent Media Center's weekly review of news from the grassroots.
Rustbelt Radio for July 21, 2008 (ogg vorbis)
by Pittsburgh IMC: Rustbelt Radio collective
Tuesday, Jul. 22, 2008 at 2:08 PM
radio@indypgh.org 412-923-3000 WRCT 88.3 FM
audio: ogg vorbis at 24.7 mebibytes
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