Digital Democracy?

A website that I stumbled across states that their purpose is...

• The broadband revolution--much like the radio, television, cable, and online revolutions of the recent past--provides yet another opportunity to make our media system more democratic, more diverse, and more participatory. It is incumbent upon community activists and leaders, recognizing the power of broadband, to become more actively involved in the design and deployment of the new high-speed networks that will bring video, data, and telephone services to our homes and businesses.
  In an effort to realize the full potential of broadband, the Center for Digital Democracy is launching a new project designed to stimulate citizen participation in the broadband revolution at the local level. CDD's Digital Destiny Campaign will assist communities in coming to terms with the rapidly evolving telecommunications landscape, bringing new multimedia resources to the masses. Our task now is to ensure that broadband serves citizenship as well as salesmanship, culture as well as commerce. By working together at the local level, we have the opportunity to shape our digital destiny.

The website does still acknowledge that there is tight control over broadband networks wielded by cable and phone company monopolies, and there is no guarantee that any of the new online resources will extend beyond the usual market-driven fare. However, this website wishes to still ensure the availability of public-interest online programming, including content produced by individuals and community groups themselves. Accordingly, communities must be informed of the public-interest options they should have in the new broadband marketplace, and encouraged to take part in the decision-making process surrounding the deployment of broadband and digital television platforms.

This site is one of the first in its kind and seems to have a general interest in serving the public. I would encourage you to read on, although it may not occur right away, this site is just the beginning of what the future instills regarding democracy online and the public. Read on...