On April 1, 2019, the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) helped kick off the National Digital Inclusion Alliance’s annual conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. Francella Ochillo, NHMC’s Vice President of Policy & General Counsel, presented on why it is imperative to expand broadband access to disconnected communities. She explained that because of excessive government surveillance and related privacy intrusions, Latinos in particular need privacy protections to ensure that their personal information is managed properly online.
The panel discussion covered a host of digital rights issues spanning from rural broadband access to how programs like Lifeline, a federal subsidy that provides communications services for low-income consumers, can help bridge the digital divide. Other panelists included Amina Fazlullah and Yosef Getachew (Common Cause); Dana Floberg (Free Press); and Olivia Wein (National Consumer Law Center).
