Persons Interested in Support of Non-commercial Information Services

[Michael Ward <mike@essential.org>]

Distributed to TAP-INFO, a free Internet Distribution List
(subscription requests to listserver@essential.org) 

TAXPAYER ASSETS PROJECT - INFORMATION POLICY NOTE
(please distribute freely)


	The following memorandum is being circulated by TAP to gather support 
for the study of funding for non-commercial information services.   



                           MEMORANDUM

To:       Persons interested in the support of non-commercial
          information services

From:     Ned Daly and James Love, Taxpayer Assets Project
          202/387-8030

Date:     March 8, 1994

Re:       Funding of non-commercial information services (based
          upon Netherlands Model)


The attached is a proposed section of HR 3636 which would require
the FCC to conduct an inquiry into different methods of providing
financial support for non-commercial information services
(including video programming).  Much of the text deals with the
most basic and fundamental issues, such as the appropriate levels
of funding, who (if anyone) would contribute to a national fund
to support non-commercial information services, and the degree of
decentralization in the funding mechanisms.

Section (c) of the language would direct the Commission to
consider models which would provide funding to democratically
controlled organizations which are organized for the purposes of
supporting non-commercial information services, which receive
funding in proportion to their grass roots support in a
democratic process.  This is based upon the system now used in
the Netherlands, which provides special broadcasting citizen
"movements" allocations of time on television and radio in
proportion to their membership.

This system is used allocate non-commercial time on three
television and five radio systems in the Netherlands.  Temporary
permits are given to "movements" which receive at least 60,000
signatures, and a more permanent license is given to groups which
receive more than 150,000 signatures.

At present there are 9 movements which qualify for airtime in the
Netherlands, including three christian movements, two liberal
movements (one of which is directed at children), one left wing
movement, one humanist movement, one political movement which
incorporates all political parties, and one license holder
devoted to local sports programming.

Please contact us for additional information on the system in the
Netherlands.




-------------------------------attachment---------------------------


                        Non Commercial Broadcasting

The Commission shall conduct an inquiry into methods of providing
financial support for non-commercial information services.  This
inquiry will address:

a)   The level of support which would adequately reflect
     democratic commitments to non-commercial information
     services.

b.   Alternative funding mechanisms, including revenues from a
     percentage of the gross receipts of radio, broadcast
     television, cellular and PCS license holders; common carrier
     telephone services, and video services provided by telephone
     and cable television companies.

c)   Methods of allocating funds to non-commercial information
     service providers, including models which provide funding to
     private democratically controlled organizations devoted to
     the support of non-commercial information services, which
     receive funding on the basis of proportional support in a
     competitive and democratic selection mechanism.

d)   The degree of decentralization in funding mechanisms which
     would best balance the needs for economies of experience and
     operations with the benefits from greater sensitivity to
     local concerns and needs.

e)   Models of support for non-commercial information services
     used in municipalities, states, and in foreign countries.


---------------------------------------------------------------------
TAP-INFO is an Internet Distribution List provided by the Taxpayer
Assets Project (TAP).  TAP was founded by Ralph Nader to monitor the
management of government property, including information systems and
data, government funded R&D, spectrum allocation and other government
assets.  TAP-INFO reports on TAP activities relating to federal
information policy.  tap-info is archived at ftp.cpsr.org;
gopher.cpsr.org and wais.cpsr.org

Subscription requests to tap-info to listserver@essential.org with
the message:  subscribe tap-info your name
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Taxpayer Assets Project; P.O. Box 19367, Washington, DC  20036
v. 202/387-8030; f. 202/234-5176; internet:  tap@essential.org
---------------------------------------------------------------------