The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

Transition in Trouble

• Table of Contents
• Acknowledgements
• Executive Summary
• Introduction
• Many Will Suffer Significant Harm if the DTV Transition Fails
• The Leadership Conference has Identified Numerous Issues that Threaten a Successful DTV Transition
  • Transition Planning Lacks Leadership and a Comprehensive Plan
  • Transition Awareness is Low; Consumers and Retailers are Confused; Outreach Efforts are Inadequate
  • Coupon Program is Confusing, Burdensome, and Restrictive
  • Costs and Burdens to Many Communities and Viewers are Excessive or Overwhelming
  • Many Communities Will Lose, not Gain, Television Stations and Service
  • No Rapid Response is in Place to Deal with Inevitable Transition Problems
• Recommendations
  • Improve Organization of the Transition
  • Fund Increased Consumer Outreach, Education and Research
  • Reduce Costs and Burdens of Transition on Viewers
  • Preserve Communities' Access to Their Television Stations
  • Prepare for Rapid Response to Problems
• Conclusion

Acknowledgements

Transition in Trouble: Action Needed to Ensure a Successful Digital Television Transition is an initiative of the Media/Telecommunications Project of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights.  Staff assistance was provided by Erica Swanson, Deputy Director for Field Operations and Project Manager for the Media/Telecommunications Project; Corrine Yu, Senior Counsel and Managing Policy Director; Mark Lloyd, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives; Mistique Cano, Vice President of Communications; Maggie Kao, Press Secretary; Tyler Lewis, Communications Manager; Clarissa Peterson, Online Communications Manager; Sonal Patel, Field Associate; and Jenna Wandres, Communications Assistant. Overall s Overall supervision was provided by Nancy Zirkin, Executive Vice President.

We would like to thank Jonathan Rintels, President, Heathcote Strategies, and Peter Loge, Principal, Milo Public Affairs LLC, who were the principal authors of the report, as well as acknowledge the contributions of Cheryl Leanza, United Church of Christ, Office of Communication, Inc., who co-chairs the LCCR Media/Telecommunications Task Force, and Jenifer Simpson, American Association of People with Disabilities, who is a member of the LCCR Media/Telecommunications Task Force.

The design and layout were created by Beveridge Seay and Laurie Rosenthal of Rosenthal Design.

Finally we would like to thank the Arca Foundation and the Media Democracy Fund for their financial support of this initiative. 

The civil rights community views access to communications as a fundamental right of every American, and believes the digital television transition has the potential to open the door for more Americans to fully participate in the digital age. This will only be true, however, if all families are able to access digital television programming. The purpose of this report is to highlight what's at stake for the civil rights community and to offer an action agenda to help ensure that no community is left behind. 

The authors and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of statements and interpretations contained in this publication.

Karen McGill Lawson, President and CEO, LCCREF
Wade Henderson, Esq., President and CEO, LCCR

Next >>