New Interfaith Coalition Campaigns For Internet Access For All

By Douglas Streeks, Reporter-Researcher, BroadbandCensus.com

WASHINGTON, July 14, 2009 - A coalition of religious organizations seeking to raise awareness of people still technologically disadvantaged on Tuesday launched a joint campaign to “Bring Betty Broadband.”

The name for the coalition, “So We Might See,” which plans to develop a network of individuals and congregations that will focus greater public attention on a range of media policy issues, said Rev. J. Bennett Guess, executive director of the United Church of Christ’s Office of Communication, Inc., in a press release.

“We want to work together to build a more responsible, accessible, and inclusive media,” said Guess.

The coalition includes the National Council of Churches, U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops, the Islamic Society of North America, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the United Church of Christ, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Mennonite Media, and United Methodist Communications, the release said.

The “Bring Betty Broadband” campaign aims to increase public attention on those who still lack access to high-speed internet services.