MADCo Member Groups and Allies Have Announced Their Appointments to the FCC Consumers Advisory Committee
[Source: Media and Democracy Coalition, August 1, 2011]
The FCC has announced new appointments to the FCC's Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) and Media Justice and reform advocates are well represented on the panel.
Amalia Deloney, Center for Media Justice and CAC appointee, says of the committee, "This is a new day. I don't believe that ever before have there been four Media Justice/MADCo groups all serving on this type of committee. The ability we have to influence strong rules and protections is now greater than ever. I am particularly pleased to see that organizations which represent communities of color, rural, tribal lands, and Americas’ poor were chosen."
Each of the MADCo member representatives has expressed their strong commitment to justice and representing low income, rural, tribal, and disability communities through this process.
The Consumers Advisory Committee was created to make recommendations on consumer issues that fall under the jurisdiction of the FCC with the specific function of including under-served and traditionally underrepresented populations in the decision making process. The FCC outlines three specific topics to be addressed including consumer protection and education initiatives, access by people with disabilities, and the impact upon consumers of new and emerging technologies.
Cecilia Garcia of the Benton Foundation, sees the opportunity to achieve public interest goals and hopes to build upon past committee successes, "With Lifeline/LinkUp modernization on the horizon, I’d like to make sure that consumer interests are at the table. The CAC provides one opportunity to achieve that. Also, while all four of the CAC’s topic areas are important, I want to work specifically on these two: implementation of Commission rules and consumer participation in the FCC rulemaking process; and impact of new and emerging technologies.Through Benton’s involvement with the CAC over the past few years, I’ve seen the impact it had on getting the Commission to focus seriously on issues regarding people with disabilities. Part of that success was due to the strength of those who represented this specific community on the CAC. They always came prepared to the CAC meetings and spoke with an authentic voice on behalf of their constituents. I hope to provide the same kind of intelligent and informed representation for low-income families, the elderly and communities of color."
Members will serve on the committee of 31 people for two years and agree to serve on one or more subcommittees/working groups. Committee members will come to DC twice a year for one-day seminars, while remotely working together to accomplish committee goals during their appointment.
Andrea Quijada of the Media Literacy Project feels members will be coming to the committee with many identities and perspectives to represent, “Due to the prevalence of low-income families, rural communities and significant Native American and Latino populations in our state, New Mexico is uniquely qualified to satisfy the FCC’s intention of including the perspective of Native American, Latino and rural communities in their decision making process.”
Dr Traci Morris, representing Native Public Media, sees an opportunity for public interest advocates to not only represent their communities, but to collaborate and build a stronger advocacy community through the CAC, "I am extremely honored to represent Tribal communities in this capacity; giving them a voice and a seat at the table. I look forward to working with my MADCo colleagues in this endeavor and am excited to meet and collaborate with the other members of the committee."
Cecilia informs us that through her participation she hopes to keep MADCo and the advocacy community abreast of the developments, "I think one of my responsibilities as a CAC member is to keep the advocacy community, primarily through the MADCO membership, informed on issues that come before the CAC, seek their input, and help facilitate their participation. The CAC meetings always have a slot for public comment. I’d like to see a strategic use of this opportunity for in-person advocacy on issues of concern to the public interest and media reform communities."
The first meeting will be held on August 17, 2011 from 9-4 at the FCC. The meeting will be open to the public and the site is fully accessible to people with disabilities. I propose we have a happy hour or dinner while folks are in town.
MADCo members that were chosen include: Cecilia Garcia, Benton Foundation; Irene E Leech, Consumer Federation of America; Amalia Deloney, Center for Media Justice; Andrea Quijada, Media Literacy Project; Dr. Traci Morris, Native Public Media.
Coalition allies are Mitsuko Herrera, of the Montgomery County MD office of cable and Broadband services; Olivia Wein, National Consumer Law Center.
