Ever tried to download a big PDF on a dial-up Internet connection? Ever tried to watch a video or access a flash website? Well, don’t bother. You are out of luck, and any information in those media is out of your reach.
As the cost of computers and Internet connections that can handle large amounts of data comes down, more and more people take access to information in all its forms for granted. More and more information is disseminated in ways that are compatible only with broadband access and sophisticated computers. This leaves the millions of Americans who don’t have the right tools out of the loop on important news and opportunities.
A new initiative launched on July 14 by an interfaith network called So We Might See aims to correct this imbalance. This ecumenical coalition “educates and advocates for media justice, both within and beyond communities of faith” with the aim of “building a more-responsive, more-diverse, and more-inclusive media.” Members of the group include the National Council of Churches, U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops, the Islamic Society of North America, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the United Church of Christ, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Mennonite Media and United Methodist Communications, among others.
The group’s inaugural initiative, Bring Betty Broadband, intends to raise public awareness about the need for more widespread Internet access and education about broadband services. The fictional Betty, featured in the introductory video, has a nice new computer but her dial-up Internet connection keeps her from doing the simple online tasks she needs to accomplish. Instead, she ends up vacuuming the floor, doing the grocery shopping, taking the dog for a walk and painting her entire room while she waits for something to download.
Bring Betty Broadband from UCC BringBettyBroadband on Vimeo.
For communities that lack broadband access it takes considerable time and hassle to do important logistical tasks — such as applying for jobs, scheduling public services and corresponding with officials and teachers — that more linked-in communities do with ease. Comprehensive Internet connectivity also guarantees access to community news, notifications of events such as elections, environmental and weather alerts and health information.
Clearly those with broadband have advantages over those without it, so the coalition’s efforts come none too soon. The group also plans on running campaigns on Internet freedom/neutrality, violence in the media and over-commercialization.
