Fwd: Action Alert: Closed Captioning Threatened!

Posted by: "dpc ma" dpc_ma@... dpc_ma

Tue Sep 19, 2006 3:17 am (PST)

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

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.pdf

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!


Disability Policy Consortium
Box 77
Boston MA 02133
617 499-6957
www.dpcma.org