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Proposal Details

Proposal ID	669
Proposal	2012 Platform amendment proposal: GeorgiaIowa Media reform
Presenter	Sponsored by Georgia and Iowa Green Parties - Platform Committee
Floor Manager	Budd Dickinson
Phase	Closed
Discussion	05/14/2012 - 05/27/2012
Voting	05/28/2012 - 06/03/2012
Result	Adopted
Presens Quorum	31 0.6666
Consens Quorum	37 0.6666 of Yes and No Votes

Background

To restore some critical language that was lost when an entire section was replaced in 2010, and to emphasize reversing the privatization of the public airways and net neutrality. This involves replacing language or adding wording in some parts of two chapters.

Proposal

Part One
Amend Chapter I, related to "Democracy", in Section D., related to "Free Speech and Media Reform."

Replace D.1., which reads:
“Promote greater public control and oversight of the public airwaves.”

with the following language:
“Return ownership and control of the electromagnetic spectrum to the public. We urge the public to reclaim the airwaves. The privatization of the broadcast airwaves, one of our most important taxpayer assets, has caused serious deformations of our politics and culture. End the privatization of broadcast frequencies and reserve them for the creation of new not-for-profit community broadcasters around the country and for broadband and wifi networks owned and operated by cities, counties and towns which want to deliver this vital tool to their people at reasonable cost.”

Add to D.3., which reads:
“End commercial broadcasters’ free licensed use of the public airwaves. Require market-priced leasing of any commercial use of the electromagnetic spectrum.”

the following language:
“Revenues derived from these license fees should be used to fund the operation of community media. Tax electronic advertising to fund democratic media outlets.”

Replace D.16, which reads:
“Overhaul the 1996 Telecommunications Act with a new focus on promoting diversity and true competition, and preventing consolidation.”

with the following language:
“Repeal the Telecommunications Act of 1996.”

Part Two
Amend Chapter IV., Section L.8., under Telecommunications, which reads:
“Broadband Internet access should be open to bidding, not simply the current choice between cable or telephone company monopolies, where grassroots Internet service providers must merge or go out of business. Broadband access should be a taxpayer-funded utility, like water and sewer, ending the “digital divide” that keeps low-income folks from access to the Internet.”

by adding the following language:
“The internet is a commons, developed with public funds, and must insure freedom and equality of access. The Green Party opposes Internet access tiered service controlled by an internet service provider (ISP), with independent (not housed with the ISP) most costly and inaccessible. ISPs and advertisers should not be gatekeepers.
The Green Party calls for increased protection for user privacy and for accountability on the part of ISPs.”

Resources

IMPLEMENTATION / TIMELINE / RESOURCESā€Ø
Approval of this proposal will amend the 2012 Draft Platform, to be presented for approval at the 2012 Presidential Nominating Convention.

References

2010 Platform: http://www.gp.org/committees/platform/2010/index.phpā€Ø
Proposition 636: http://gp.org/cgi-bin/vote/propdetail?pid=636

CONTACT
Platform Committeeā€ØJan Martell, co-chair, 919-682-2472, ninth.st@frontier.com
ā€ØBruce Hinkforth, co-chair, 262-569-1370, bhinkforth@milwpc.comā€Ø
Section editor: Holly Hart, hhart@avalon.net

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