Learn about the key issues in media reform and the future of digital communications.

Brand X Decision: Even the opponents in the case of FCC v. Brand X Internet Services, now under review at the Supreme Court, agree on one thing: "This battle is over the future of the Internet," as FCC Commissioner Michael Copps expressed it. At stake is whether the broadband Internet will preserve the dial-up Internet's longstanding open, diverse traditions, or whether it will evolve into something much closer to the closed platform of multichannel video.

Broadband: Refers to the high-speed Internet connections that allow for users to quickly and easily access high-quality images, video and advanced online services. The availability of broadband to all households will increase educational opportunities, economic incentives, and media access for both individuals and communities while creating equality regardless of geographic, educational, or financial barriers.

Cable Television: Television is still where most Americans tune in for news and entertainment. Cable providers have major obligations to serve the public interest because their services are offered by means of public right-of-ways.

Digital Destiny Campaign: With the widespread deployment of high-speed networks, the broadband revolution is underway. In the process, there will be any number of efforts to exploit the commercial potential of the high-speed Internet. Our task is to ensure that broadband serves as effectively as it sells, fostering two-way, interactive applications. By working together at the local level, assessing the broadband infrastructure for its potential to serve the public interest, and building new alliances to ensure such service, we have the opportunity to shape our digital destiny.

Diversity: Key principle in advancing a more democratic media and communications environment. The belief that different voices and perspectives contribute to a more informed discussion.

Federal Communications Commission: U.S. government agency established by the Communications Act of 1934, to regulate American media and communication systems including radio, television, satellite, cable and broadband services.

Federal Trade Commission: U.S. government agency whose principal focus is the promotion of consumer protection by prohibiting unfair and deceptive business practices and eliminating of anticompetitive business practices.

Future of Television: In February 2009, every television set will only be able to accept digital signals. While digital signals will potentially give viewers access to more types of content, broadcasters have been given little direction as to their new digital obligations in serving the public interest.

International Media: A democratic media and communications system is the goal for many countries around the world. By studying global efforts in media access, free speech, and media reform can give American advocates a new perspective.

Journalistic Integrity: The new media environment has created a new dimension to journalism, but the need for in-depth research and reporting does not disappear. Full-time journalists are necessary to balance the media environment prone to shallow news and entertainment.

Media Consolidation: Big media companies owning multiple media outlets and ultimately controlling the perspectives and dialogue across various media channels. When a media environment is concentrated, there are fewer opportunities for expressing independent or minority viewpoints through the media and gathering information from a wide range of sources with differing viewpoints is difficult.

Media Ownership: The people who own major media outlets hold great power because they can set the nation’s agenda by determining the significance of various issues. It is crucial that a large number of competitive media outlets exist and are owned by people with diverse backgrounds (culturally and otherwise) who can tell the mainstream stories through different lens and alternative stories with mainstream appeal.

Media Reform: The belief that media can serve the public better by offering more in-depth news coverage, more independent sources for entertainment, alternative business models and different perspectives.

P.E.G. Access: Cable channels that are given to communities as compensation by cable providers who lay cables under public rights-of-way (streets, sidewalks, etc.) These facilities, sometimes called community media centers, exist primarily to give local residents access to television equipment, training and noncommercial time on designated cable channels.

Politics Online: Expectations for how politicians communicate with voters and how voters will question and give feedback to candidates and elected officials will dramatically change as more campaigning is done through the Internet, which prides itself on being participatory, open, transparent and more inclusive of younger audiences.

Public Media: The Corporation for Pubic Broadcasting created in 1967 by Congress has recently faced cut-backs in federal funding. The public media system was created to give the public an option for primarily noncommercial and educational programming, but has since struggled to find an identity that maintains its public interest obligation while sustaining its media infrastructure.

Video Franchise: Agreements that allow citizens and officials, specifically when negotiated locally, to determine how their community will be compensated by video providers that must utilize public property (right-of-ways) in order to provide video services.

VOIP: Affordable phone service, consumer protection, and universal service are at stake as Internet phone service ("VoIP" or "Voice over Internet Protocol") emerges as an alternative to traditional phones.