Center for Rural Strategies








		*The Center for Rural Strategies* seeks to improve economic and social conditions for communities in the countryside and around the world through the creative and innovative use of media and communications. By presenting accurate and compelling portraits of rural lives and cultures, we hope to deepen public debate and create a national environment in which positive change for rural communities can occur. Rural Strategies presents the Daily Yonder, an independent source for rural news and information. Join us on Facebook! Contribute to Rural Strategies The folks at groundspring.org have provided us a secure means to accept contributions which may be tax-deductible for you. Visit The Rural Blog from the Institute for Rural Journalism Updated Monday-Friday		Broadband Update Advocates for improved broadband access in rural America have made their voices heard with the Federal Communications Commission. The Rural Internet and Broadband Policy Group, a growing national coalition of rural broadband advocates, filed comments with the FCC in response to the Notice of Inquiry on developing a National Broadband Plan. The groups asked the FCC to create a broadband plan that creates opportunity for rural America and the nation as a whole. [read more...] 20/20 Highlights Children in Appalachia ABC's 20/20 program on vulnerable children and families in Appalachia on Feb. 13, 2008, sparked praise, criticism and debate among journalists and residents of Appalachia. The program followed ABC's Diane Sawyer on a trip to eastern Kentucky as she reported on poverty, drug abuse, and a dental condition called "Mountain Dew Mouth." Dee Davis, president of the Center for Rural Strategies, was interviewed for the report and appeared in a follow up that aired on ABC on Feb. 20. Here are some reactions from the media about the two shows: "But when journalism illuminates problems that raise questions of public policy, it's obliged to offer suggestions for solutions. That was the main flaw many journalists saw in the documentary, which was long on emotion and short on context." -- Al Cross, Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues. "(Sawyer) also needs to interview community organizers in the trenches who are not merely handing out charity, but bringing the affected eastern Kentucky communities together to address their problems of unemployment, drug abuse and hopelessness. Sawyer should start with Robert Gipe, an actor and theater producer in Harlan County, who has used the theater at the Appalachian Center at the Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College as an arena for action on poverty and drug abuse. Gipe and his community have put together an amazing play, Finding Higher Ground, which should be featured on ABC-TV." -- Jeff Biggers, Huffington Post. "The stories are a framework to illustrate problems in the community, from the rise in illegal prescription drug dealing to the widespread use of a soft drink that is rotting teeth. Children there face few options: work at Wal-Mart or fast food restaurants, dealing drugs or a life in the mines among them." -- David Bauder, Associated Press Is broadband access for rural Americans a human right or boondoggle? NPR's Howard Berkes reported on the economic stimulus package, which contains $7.2 billion for building out high-speed internet access for rural and unserved communities. The piece also quoted former FCC chief economist Michael Katz, who called rural areas "environmentally hostile, energy inefficient, and weak in innovation." Dee Davis, president of the Center for Rural Strategies, responded to Katz' comments. And Bill Bishop, co-editor of the Daily Yonder, described high-speed Internet access as a basic right, similar to telephone service. Text and audio of the story are available here. To see the Daily Yonder's analysis of rural broadband penetration, visit the Daily Yonder. Endorse the Rural Compact The Rural Compact is a statement of principle calling for positive changes for rural America that will benefit all of us. The Rural Compact is a project of the National Rural Assembly, a movement of people and organizations devoted to building a stronger, more vibrant rural America. The National Rural Assembly is asking individuals and organizations to endorse the Rural Compact as a step forward for the nation as a whole. The Assembly will present the Compact and the endorsement list to those who are in a position to help rural communities, including federal and state policy makers, journalists, corporate leaders, philanthropists, community leaders, and others.



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