WASHINGTON, June 9 (UPI) -- Government officials along with the non-profit One Economy Corporation are launching a 24-month campaign for the first Public Internet Channel to aid the nation's economic disparities.
The Public Internet Channel would allow a greater number of Americans to access the Internet and would therefore weaken the digital divide, said Angela Glover Blackwell, founder and CEO of PolicyLink, at the Thursday announcement.
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., honorary co-chair of the campaign, said that the Public Internet Channel would improve the dynamism of the marketplace and enhance the democratization of information.
"It (PIC) helps people help themselves," said Obama. "If we do this right the Public Internet Channel can do for social service what Yahoo! has done for entertainment."
According to Blackwell, more than 45 percent of people on the Internet are using it to solve their everyday problems.
"Access to technology is empowerment," said Blackwell. "Ultimately this project will be the infrastructure that will allow everyone to prosper."
One Economy Corporation created the Beehive Web site which provides job information to low-income Americans. According to Rey Ramsey, CEO and chairman of the One Economy Corporation, 8 million people have used the Beehive. He plans to build on this site to create the Public Internet Channel.
Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley's has pushed for early implementation of the Public Internet Channel in his city. "Access to the Worldwide Web is no longer a convenience, it is becoming an essential," said O'Malley.
Along with promoting the expansion of the Beehive Web site, Baltimore has also started the digital access fund to get more computers into households, he said.
According to Ramsey, following hurricane Katrina thousands of people turned to the Internet for answers. The event led to greater campaigning for the Public Internet Channel.
"We need 21st century technology," said Ramsey. "It shouldn't take a natural disaster to create this."
After Katrina, information was what people needed more than anything, said Blackwell.
"Having a place where people could go to get that information made all the difference in the world," said Blackwell.
The Public Internet Channel would not only provide access to a greater number of Americans but would also give more people the opportunity to speak and be heard at a public level, said Jeanine Kenney, policy analyst of Consumers Union.
"The Public Internet Channel is inspired, visionary, and daunting," said Kenney. "It allows people to be users and producers."
"We stand on the shoulders of many," said Ramsey. "We need America, this is a joint effort."
Those interested in supporting the cause will soon be able to register online. In the next two years One Economy Corporation will continue coalition building by launching pilots in various cities. According to Ramsey, the corporation would like to start the project with $20 million.
"This will be viral, it will spread across the country," Ramsey said.
