In a joint letter to the CPTWG co-chairs, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Consumers Union, DigitalConsumer.org and Public Knowledge expressed concern regarding the exclusion of the press from ARDG meetings.
Citing its policy of excluding members of the press from its otherwise public meetings, CPTWG has extended this policy to include ARDG, which is a CPTWG subgroup. Drew Clark, of National Journal's Tech Daily, was ejected from ARDG when he attempted to attend its inaugural meeting.
Journalists serve a critical role in educating consumers, innovators, researchers and other interested members of the public about the debates taking place at ARDG. Recommendations that emerge from ARDG may become the basis for federal policy, as the final report of the BPDG became the basis for the "broadcast flag" proposal now being considered by the FCC. In the absence of press analysis, members of the public will be at a serious disadvantage in evaluating any policy proposals that may emerge from ARDG.
Posted by fred at March 21, 2003 02:26 PM