Emphasizing how minority Americans use media, as well as the Internet’s potential to boost economic and social progress in long-neglected communities, the Joint Center’s Media and Technology Institute undertakes a broad range of research in the following areas: broadband research, technology innovation sectors, mass media consumption and policies, and comparative international research.  In addition to these research priorities, the Institute also engages in research evaluation work, along with legal filings that offer insight into current and emerging communications policies.

Specific activities of the Media and Technology Institute include:

National Minority Broadband Adoption Primary Research

The Joint Center is leading the way on empirical research about how people of color use the Internet to address quality of life issues, especially economic and social stability, and civic engagement.  Created in 2010 and highlighted by the Federal Communications Commission in the historic National Broadband Plan, the initial research found that while more minorities with higher incomes are now widely accessing the Internet, the majority of low-income, older and geographically isolated African Americans and Hispanics are not online.  As the nation’s only racially stratified survey on broadband adoption, this body of research will continue to evolve as a resource for policymakers, academia, and other public policy institutes interested in broadband availability and adoption. 

In addition to the study, MTI staff regularly issues new publications that address emerging broadband issues.  Many of these publications have also been published in recognized social science and legal research journals.  The December 2010 issue of the Federal Communications Law Journal featured an article by MTI staff, The Challenge of Increasing Civic Engagement in the Digital Age, that touched upon how social networks and other Internet communities are moving more people, except the poor and minorities with access, towards civic action.

Program Evaluation

Assessing the impact sustainable broadband adoption programs for communities of color is necessary to narrow the digital divide.  MTI regularly engages in national program evaluations that ascertain the effectiveness of programs and partnerships to create a culture of use within minority communities, especially those with disproportionate populations that access the web.  Working in partnership with leading universities and researchers, the Institute has designed and implemented significant national and local evaluation projects whose results can affect policy and program outcomes.  

In April 2010, the Media and Technology Institute entered into a partnership with the National Urban League Policy Institute and One Economy Corporation on a three-year, evaluation project to assess the performance of one of the largest grants provided through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (BTOP).  The project, involving a historic alliance of civil rights organizations under the umbrella of the Broadband Opportunity Coalition, entails the monitoring of the program’s goals that include 150,000 new broadband subscribers at the end of the program period.

Policy Briefs and Legal Filings

As part of its ongoing work, the Media and Technology Institute, on behalf of the Joint Center, regularly files briefs and public comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and other government agencies on critical policy matters in which people of color have a stake.  Last year, technical comments were filed with the FCC on the following topics:

• Universal Service Reform Mobility Fund
• In the Matter of the 2010 Quadrennial Regulatory Review-Review of the Commission’s Broadcast Ownership Rules and Other Rules Adopted Pursuant to Section 202 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996
• Framework for Broadband Access to the Internet over Wireline Facilities
• Framework for Broadband Internet Service

All of these filings are available on the FCC’s web site.

Research and Policy Forums

With the digital revolution constantly in action, MTI hosts regular briefings with black elected and appointed officials, and sponsors forums that bring together leading subject matter experts with elected officials and other policy leaders.  These policy forums are meant to educate, inform and connect various stakeholders to relevant communications policies issues, and discuss the intended benefit and/or unintended consequences for people of color.  Recent policy forums have focused on the progress of the National Broadband Plan, the promise of Smart Grid technology, and Retransmission Consent and Broadcast Media.  To learn more about upcoming events, subscribe to our mailing list list and check the web site periodically.