Let the Public In on Cable Permit Process
- Share via
“Council Angers Cable Panel” (May 19) described the struggle between the L.A. City Council and the city’s Information Technology Commission over who gets to review, select and set conditions applicable to the city’s 14 cable TV franchise agreements. Could the fight over “who’s boss” have any connection to your report that the cable industry has spent more than $1 million on lobbying in the last two years?
The city should award franchises to cable companies that submit the lowest bid; that is, the lowest monthly charge to cable viewers. Opening bids in view of an audience would make the process transparent. Competition would lower our cable bills. The only sad parties would be the current recipients of the lobbyists’ contributions. I’ll bet that the City Council will continue the current “behind closed doors” process.
David C. Campbell
Los Angeles
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
