CITIZENS CALL ON FCC'S HUNDT TO BROADEN ACCESS TO FCC RULEMAKINGS

[Michael Ward <mike@essential.org>]

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TAXPAYER ASSETS PROJECT - INFORMATION POLICY NOTE
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                               NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release                   For Information:
Tuesday March 15, 1994                  Mike Ward 202/387-8030
                                          mike@essential.org
                                        Ned Daily 202/387-8030
                                          ndaly@essential.org
                                        Taxpayer Assets Project

   283 CITIZENS ASK FCC CHAIRMAN REED HUNDT TO USE THE INTERNET TO
        BROADEN DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION IN FCC PROCEEDINGS.

     Washington.  Today two hundred and eighty three citizens
called on FCC Chair Reed Hundt to use the Internet to expand
democratic participation in FCC proceedings.  The letter to Hundt
asked that the FCC take the following steps:

-    Provide Internet electronic mail discussion "lists" for
     citizens to discuss and debate all FCC rulemaking and
     inquires,

-    Allow citizens to file comments in all FCC dockets by
     electronic mail, gatewayed through the Internet, and

-    Make additional FCC documents available online to citizens
     via the Internet.

     The proposal would have the FCC use the Internet, a global
network which connects thousands of private and public networks,
to broaden citizen participation in FCC proceedings.  

     "Today there are thousands of citizens who are interested in
the FCC's efforts to shape the nation's information superhighway. 
In the past it was difficult for citizens to follow and debate
these issues, without access to costly trade publications or the
FCC reading rooms," said Mike Ward of the Taxpayer Assets Project
(the non-profit citizen group which organized the request to
Hundt)
 
     "By using the Internet, the FCC can provide opportunities
for citizens to participate in interactive debates and
discussions on every FCC docket.  This may allow us to give
ordinary citizens more say in the FCC policy making process.  We
urge the FCC to use this new technology to reinvent democracy, so
we can have a truly national debate over the development of the
National Information Infrastructure," Ward said.

     Joining with TAP in signing the letter were 282 citizens
from 42 states.  Most persons signing the letter provided their
Internet addresses for electronic mail.  Those signing the letter
represent a wide range of consumer, business, academic, and
government interests.

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