Using Technology and Innovation to Address Our Nation's Critical Challenges
Action Plan Executive Summary
Persuasive research indicates that connecting our nation to broadband will bring remarkable economic, social, cultural, personal, and other benefits to our citizens. Citing this research, a bipartisan chorus of America's leaders has for years advocated the deployment across our nation of robust and affordable broadband access to the Internet. Taken together, the rhetoric and research tell a compelling story; that in the Digital Age, universal, affordable, and robust broadband is the key to our nation's citizens reaching for - and achieving - the American Dream. read more
November Highlights
Although the Thanksgiving weekend usually generates little news, November was in no way a slow news month. The November 4 elections are ushering in a profound change in who will be making communications policy decisions for years to come. And although it is hard to overestimate the importance of the 2008 elections, the news of America's decision and its impact have nearly drowned out other important developments. read more
Welcome to Benton.org
The Benton Foundation works to ensure that media and telecommunications serve the public interest and enhance our democracy. We pursue this mission by seeking policy solutions that support the values of access, diversity and equity, and by demonstrating the value of media and telecommunications for improving the quality of life for all.
Recent Headlines
Benton Foundation provides free, daily summaries of articles concerning the quickly-changing telecommunications policy landscape.
Digital Beat Blog
Benton Foundation Chairman and CEO Charles Benton and others offer their unique perspective on communications policy. Read the latest postings:
Recent comments
- Build, build, build, every
5 days 12 hours ago - Yes, build the Net. It will
5 days 13 hours ago - Yes, and let's build a new
5 days 13 hours ago - Let me reframe the question:
5 days 13 hours ago - One wonders if RIM isn't
1 week 2 hours ago - Excellent summary of the
1 week 2 hours ago - I'll comment on one part of
1 week 1 day ago - During New Year, usually the
1 week 2 days ago - Plenty of folks are not
2 weeks 2 days ago - The assumption made by many
2 weeks 6 days ago
Your Turn: Call for Broadband Action
Can you let President-elect Obama know that you support our call? Here's how you can help. Please visit change.org, the official web site of the Office of President-elect Obama, and leave your comments at the Technology Agenda input form.
Please say that you support Benton's ACTION PLAN FOR AMERICA: Using Technology and Innovation to Address Our Nation's Critical Challenges and include a link to our
report: http://benton.org/action_plan.
Finally, if you do decide to weigh in with the Presidential Transition Team, please be so kind to drop us a note so we know you've voiced your support.
The Communicators: Broadband Call to Action
Community Media
The foundation’s history in the arena of Community Media has been twofold: 1) educating funders and nonprofits about the potential of new media to address issues of civic and cultural importance and 2) stimulating innovative uses of the technologies by example.
View the "What is Community Media?" series which examines the voices, the content, and the potential of community media to serve basic human and community needs.
Policy Initiatives
Tracking Legislation
Congress is poised to make a number of critical yet irreversible decisions this year and next that will shape our communications future for decades to come. Learn More
Universal Affordable Broadband For All Americans
America is on the verge of vast new broadband-driven digital transformation that promises to make life more livable, businesses more productive, jobs more plentiful, and the Internet more accessible. Learn More
Public Interest Obligations
A key principle of federal communications law is that in exchange for free use of the public airwaves broadcasters agree to take actions to benefit the public. Learn More
Media Ownership
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 fundamentally changed US broadcast ownership law. The 1996 Act directs the Federal Communications Commission to reexamine its broadcast ownership rules every few years and repeal or modify any regulation it determines to be no longer in the public interest. Learn More
Upcoming Events
FCC Open Meeting (Jan 2009)
(Thursday, Jan 15)
Diverging Views on How to Spur Broadband Investment
(Friday, Jan 16)
...and Communications for All?
(Monday, Jan 26)
The Digital Broadband Migration: Imagining the Internet's Future
(Sunday, Feb 08)
The Information Needs of Communities in a Democracy
(Monday, Feb 16)