http://www.hearusnow.org/2008/07/transition_in_trouble_action_n.html
The good folks at the the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights are out with a report that should be required reading for any government official involved -- or who should be involved -- in the looming transition to digital television next February.
Titled "Transition in Trouble: Action Needed to Ensure a Successful Digital Television Transition," the report lays out the problems and challenges of the upcoming transition and what can still be done to make it go smoother.
By law on February 17, 2009, most television stations must stop sending analog over-the-air signals. This will change the way Americans watch television – especially those most reliant on free over-the-air television, many of whom are low-income Americans, seniors, people with disabilities, communities of color, and people who speak languages other than English.
The report details specific challenges faced by these communities, such as difficulties for seniors and people with disabilities in accessing captioning and the loss of community (low-power) broadcast television stations that provide the news and information on which communities of color and non-English speaking populations rely.
"We need to reach deep into communities who rely on over the air broadcasting to find out if they are prepared for the transition, and we need to make sure all Americans get the message about the DTV transition from messengers they trust in a language they can understand," said LCCR vice president for strategic initiatives Mark Lloyd. "Then we need to follow up to make sure they get the assistance they need to continue to have access to important news and emergency broadcasts."
