MNN would like to thank everyone who came out to the New York City Cable Franchise renewal hearing on Thursday Feb. 7, 2008 at the Borough of Manhattan Community College. Hundreds of Manhattan residents representing the diversity of the Borough testified and sent testimony in support of MNN, free speech, and a viable communications infrastructure for the public interest.

Our collective voices were loud and clear and made sure the City of New York and the cable companies are well aware of the technological needs and interests of the residents of Manhattan.

As a representative of one organization testified, “In this capital driven economy, it is encouraging to find an organization that provides the outreach and education that MNN provides for women and minority communities”. Access to media and technology is not a privilege, it is a right for all residents of the Borough.

It was inspiring see all the community based organizations, youth and labor organizations, consumers groups, independent producers, elected officials, and friends who came out in support of MNN and free speech.

In another breakthrough for MNN the hearings at BMCC were carried live on Channel 56. MNN's dedicated staff and management worked hard to bring this important hearing to all of the public and look forward to increasingly using communications technology to promote our public interest.

The hearing was one of the first steps toward our upcoming franchise re-negotiation. The City’s Franchise and Concession Review Committee (FCRC), will take in consideration the testimony presented at the public hearing as they review and develop a renewal of the cable tv franchise. Your testimony helped lay the groundwork for our negotiations and showed the tremendous support for public access in our community.

There are still some months before the City and the cable companies make public the status of the franchise renewal. As we learn more about the situation we will keep you informed and abreast of the progress of these negotiations, together we will make sure the franchise agreement is one that supports the needs and interests of all our residents.

If you were not able to testify in person on February 7th, you can submit your comments related to the cable franchising process, to future cable-related community needs/ interests or to the cable companies' services or performance directly to the DOITT (Department of Information,Technology and Telecommunications) on-line at:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doitt/html/business/business_cable_tv_hearing_form.shtml

Thank you again for your support and commitment to free speech.