In its ongoing effort to keep local citizens from getting their due according to federal law, Time Warner continues to misrepresent the cost of providing a community media center and other vital services for the residents of municipalities with which the company has cable franchises.

  Cable subscribers are already paying for community media resources — they’re just not getting them. For years, Time Warner has successfully used scare tactics to keep profits high by skimping on service throughout the Capital Region. One need only look at cable contracts around the country to see that many communities pay similar rates and get far more for their money.

  Customers would get a real shock if Time Warner itemized its profits on each monthly cable bill. Instead, the company chooses to emphasize the pennies that go back to the community in the form of franchise fees!

It’s time for Time Warner to stop stonewalling efforts to enforce the Cable Act of 1984, which clearly outlines the compensation owed for use of public rights of way. In its insatiable quest for profit, Time Warner is denying schoolchildren, senior citizens, churchgoers, and other members of our communities training in and access to the basic tools of information technology.

Enough is enough! Support our public officials; urge them to negotiate decent cable franchises with Time Warner on our behalf!

STEVE PIERCE
The writer is executive director of the Media Alliance, a statewide media advocacy organization.