FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: June 30, 2008
Contact: Jen Howard, Free Press, (202) 265-1490, x22 or (703) 517-6273

WASHINGTON -- Today, the Federal Communications Commission announced it will hold a public hearing about broadband and the digital future in Pittsburgh on July 21.

Last week, industry, advocacy, academic and financial leaders launched InternetforEveryone.org -- a groundbreaking initiative to make access to a fast, open and affordable Internet a basic right for all Americans.

Timothy Karr, campaign director of Free Press, the organizer of InternetforEveryone.org, issued the following statement:

"We applaud the FCC for continuing to seek public input on key policy questions. Few issues facing the nation are more important than the future of the Internet and its vital role in economic growth, education, media and democracy.

"Broadband is no longer a luxury; it is a public necessity. The country that invented the Internet should be able to connect every home, business and civic institution. But right now half of American homes are still not connected to high-speed Internet. This vast digital divide has left entire communities shut out of the economic, political and social opportunities that access to technology brings.

"We hope this is the beginning of a broad public dialogue on how to connect this nation -- and what policies Congress and the FCC must implement to get us there."

Read the FCC's announcement: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-283340A1.pdf

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