North Carolina Gathers for Internet Debate

WASHINGTON -- On March 7, hundreds of North Carolinians from all walks of life will debate the future of the Internet at a town hall meeting sponsored by InternetforEveryone.org -- a broad-based initiative to connect every American to a fast, open and affordable Internet. This event is part of a nationwide series designed to give all citizens a seat at the table as America shapes its broadband future.

WHAT: InternetforEveryone.org Town Hall Meeting

WHEN: Saturday, March 7, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. EST

WHERE: Durham Marriott Convention Center, 201 Foster Street, Durham, N.C.

High-speed Internet, or "broadband," has become a crucial public necessity with unprecedented social, economic and educational benefits. But more than 40 percent of all U.S. homes are not connected or use slow "dial-up" technology. The digital divide hinders economic growth, innovation and prosperity -- nationally and locally.

Martha Abraham, a resident of rural Mars Hill, N.C., finds it difficult to run her bed-and-breakfast without broadband. "If the online booking system isn't working and guests can't continue with their reservations, they will definitely go someplace else," she said. "Being such a small business, we can't afford to lose a single customer."

Nearly 5 million North Carolinians can't access or afford a high-speed Internet connection, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

"The computer is the eighth wonder of the world to kids who don't have one," said Joe Burgess, manager of Teaming for Technology, an organization that donates home computers to North Carolinians in need. "It lets them link up with others who share their needs, communicate with family, research, and more. A computer with access to the Internet truly improves the educational opportunities and standard of living for the users and the community as a whole."

The InternetforEveryone.org town hall meeting in Durham is free and open to the public. It will feature inspiring speakers, including: Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, president of the North Carolina NAACP State Conference of Branches; Jane Smith Patterson, director of the e-NC Authority; Durham City Councilman Farad Ali; and Rhonda Locklear, a Lumbee tribe member.

The meeting will include short documentary-style films and roundtable discussions focusing on ways to restore America's global Internet leadership. Some of the key questions participants will consider include:

• How do we expand consumer choice and lower costs for Internet services?


• How can the Internet be a catalyst for economic growth, jobs and prosperity?


• How do we preserve the Internet's level playing field so everyone can access the content, applications and services of their choice?


• What roles should be played by the federal government, local governments, private industry and everyday citizens to build a better Internet?

Read the town hall discussion guide: http://www.internetforeveryone.org/DiscussionGuide

The responses from the North Carolina meeting will be combined with feedback from other meetings around the country and an ongoing digital forum, and delivered to the Obama administration and congressional leaders.

"Building an open, fast, affordable Internet is a process that requires true public participation," said Timothy Karr, campaign director of Free Press, the organizer of InternetforEveryone.org. "Washington must listen to the people of North Carolina and others across the country, in order to build an Internet that works for all Americans."

InternetforEveryone.org is supported by more than 160 public interest organizations and industry groups, including: ACLU, American Library Association, BitTorrent, blip.tv, Center for Rural Affairs, Children Now, Computer & Communications Industry Association, Consumer Electronics Association, Consumer Federation of America, Consumers Union, Credo Mobile, Ebay.com, EDUCAUSE, Facebook.com, Free Press, Future of Music Coalition, Google, Green For All, InterActiveCorp, Media Alliance, National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors, National Hispanic Media Coalition, National Organization for Women, Native Public Media, New America Foundation, One Economy, Participatory Culture Foundation, Public Knowledge, Skype, Sunlight Foundation, TechNet, TechRepublican, United Church of Christ, U.S. PIRG, Vuze, Writers Guild of America-East, Writers Guild of America-West, and YouTube, amongst others.

For more information, visit www.InternetforEveryone.org/Durham

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InternetforEveryone.org is a national initiative of public interest, civic and industry groups that are working to bring the benefits of a fast, affordable and open Internet connection to everyone in America.