Actual investigative journalism by local TV news (this from the great state of Wisconsin) on the fraudulent PR(opaganda) being carried out by the telco corporations in regards to video franchising and new broadband telecommunications legislation.

TV4US coalition spokesperson Kelley Gannon said the ads are designed to “educate the public.” They’re running across the county, and in Madison, to put pressure on Congress to pass the COPE (Communications Opportunity, Promotion and Enhancement Act) Act.

It would drastically change how the cable industry works. The bill allows phone companies, like AT&T, to get a national cable franchise and offer video to any customer in America. Currently, cable companies, like Comcast and Charter Communications, negotiate with local municipalities valid only in that community.

UW telecommunication professor Barry Orton is critical of the campaign, “Here’s a phony ad,” says Orton. “Here’s a group that is a puppet of AT&T.”

“What’s driving all of this is the desire by AT&T and Verizon, the two big phone companies to get into the cable business and offer video. And they want to do it without local licenses,” said Orton.

In the industry, the concept of offering a variety of services, like phone, Internet, video and mobile phone, is called “bundling.” Telecommunications outfits think it’s the key to future profit. AT&T is already bundling services like home and mobile phone and high speed Internet.

WISC-TV’s Reality Check found the claim promising lower rates is misleading.

Of note is the mention of the phony TV4US astroturf lobbying operation, pretending its a citizens grassroots organization. Also unusual is the news article quoting from a telecom analyst (Barry Orton) who is one of the few usually referenced in the media who is NOT actually being paid by the telecom lobby.

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