Internet for Everyone Coalition Meeting in Washington, D.C.

Coalition Member Meeting on the Future of the Internet

Town Hall Meeting: Washington, D.C.

On Wednesday, May 13, more than 80 members of the InternetforEveryone.org Coalition met at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., to discuss the future of the Internet and take steps toward establishing a national broadband plan.

We discussed the public recommendations made over the past six months via the InternetforEveryone.org town hall meetings, a national survey, the video reporting project and the “digital town hall” forum. You can review the complete report on the InternetforEveryone.org Coalition’s work here.

The coalition discussed the following questions and identified the following actions for the next phase of work: making fast, affordable, open Internet access a priority for decision-makers in Washington.

Should InternetforEveryone.org move from gathering public feedback to advocating for the public's recommendations?

The responses to this question from coalition members, in addition to the subsequent responses to the questions below, support a shift to advocacy on behalf of the public’s recommendations.

What could the InternetforEveryone.org Coalition do in 2009 to support these actions and recommendations?

  • Lobby public officials and engage in the FCC’s national broadband plan 36.11%
  • Analyze different approaches/business models to solve the digital divide 23.68%
  • Unify issues and messaging so more people can support the four principles 19.44%
  • Educate the public on the digital divide 13.89%
  • Focus on local communities’ ability to build their own networks 11.11%
  • Broaden the coalition and foster member engagement 8.33%

What steps can InternetforEveryone.org take in 2009 to ensure that the FCC's national broadband plan reflects the four principles of access, choice, openness and innovation?

  • Get coalition members to mobilize the public 23.68%
  • Engage the public and the coalition in the FCC’s open docket process 21.05%
  • Emphasize the grassroots approach to media reform 21.05%
  • Use storytelling to reach new audiences and the FCC 18.42%
  • Educate the FCC on the four principles (access, choice, openness and innovation) 7.89%
  • Use creative organizing tactics, both offline and online 7.89%

What do you think about the coalition’s next steps? Share your thoughts at the “Digital Town Hall” and add your voice to the discussion.

For background information, click here.