From: owner-justice@... [ <mailto:owner-justice@...>
mailto:owner-justice@...] On Behalf Of Justice For All Moderator

Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2006 9:15 PM

To: justice@...

Subject: Action Alert: Closed Captioning Threatened!

ACTION ALERT: CLOSED CAPTIONING THREATENED!

On Wed. Sept 13, 2006, the FCC issued one of the worst decisions it has
ever issued on closed captioning. The Order is on the web site shown
below. Basically the order grants two requests for

exemptions from the requirement to closed caption, a requirement

in place since 1996 and that has ensured more and more closed

captioning on television.

In taking this action, the FCC states that it is "inclined

favorably" to grant new exemption requests to organizations that

do "not receive compensation from video programming distributors

from the airing of [their] programs," and who also say they "may

terminate or substantially curtail [their] programming" or

"[curtail] other activities important to [their] mission" if

forced to caption.

The gist of what the FCC has done is to open the door to many

more exemptions. It appears also the FCC's action creates a rule change
that defines a new category of exemption from the

captioning rules, cutting the legs out from the current "undue

burden" proof currently needed to get an exemption for captioning
requirement.

What the FCC has done is very serious. This new interpretation

of the rules for asking for an exemption from having to closed

caption has far reaching effects that go well beyond the specific TV
programming in these two Orders and could extend to any

entity, regardless of its resources, if they can make a case that "we
cant afford it" or "it might shut us down."

Please contact the following persons at the FCC and send

thousands of emails and letters protesting this decision. Thank you for
caring about this!

Sample email. Please customize:

"In Re DA 06-1802, CGB-CC-0005 and CGB-CC-0007

Dear FCC Chairman, I protest the recent Orders granting

exemptions from closed captioning issued by CGB. These Orders

appear to create a new regulation, carving out a new exemption

basis, not in keeping with current regulations. We are outraged

and believe the FCC has created a loophole that almost any entity crying
"it costs too much" can now use. Please reconsider immediately! We need
our closed captioning! Your name Your address."

Thousands of calls and emails should be sent to the FCC Chairman and
Commissioners. Contact information:

Chairman Kevin Martin, Tel (202) 418-1000

Email: Kevin.Martin@... or use online email system at

<http://www.fcc.gov/commissioners/martin/mail.html>
http://www.fcc.gov/commissioners/martin/mail.html

Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate, Tel (202) 418-2500

Email: Deborah.Tate@...

Commissioner McDowell, Tel (202) 418-2200

Email: Robert.McDowell@...

Commissioner Michael Copps, Tel (202) 418-2000

Email: Michael.Copps@...

Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein, Tel (202) 418-2300

Email: Jonathan.Adelstein @fcc.gov

Also calls and Email to the FCC Bureau that issued the Order: CGB Chief
Monica DeSai at (202) 418-1400

Email: Monica.DeSai@...

FCC address: FCC, 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20054

Attn: Chairman Martin. Fax (202) 418-0232

FCC ORDERS:

ANGLERS FOR CHRIST MINISTRIES, INC.; NEW BEGINNING MINISTRIES. Granted
two separate petitions for exemption from the closed

captioning requirements for video programming contained in

section 79.1 of the Commission's rules.

Action by: Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau.

Adopted: 09/11/2006 by MO&O. (DA No. 06-1802). CGB

<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1802A1.doc>
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1802A1.doc

<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1802A1.pdf>
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1802A1.pdf

<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1802A1.txt>
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1802A1.txt

For further information on this, please contact Jenifer Simpson, at
AAPD, email aapdjenifer@.... Thanks!

______________________________________________________________

For more telecommunications news issues, see:
<http://www.aapd.com/News/telecomm/index_tc.php>
http://www.aapd.com/News/telecomm/index_tc.php

# # #

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MODERATOR, Gwen Gillenwater, JUSTICE FOR ALL -- A Service of the
American Association of People with Disabilities. To

contact Gwen, please email her at JFAgwen@....

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Steve Hamerdinger, Director
Office of Deaf Services
Alabama Department of Mental Health
and Mental Retardation
P.O. Box 301410
Montgomery, Alabama 36117
(334) 353-4701 (TTY)
(334) 242-3024 (FAX)




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