Is a cheap or subsidized and easily accessible broadband Internet connection a civil right?

If you think so the Westin Grand Hotel in Washington Jan. 20–21 is the place to be; it's the Minority Media & Telecom Council's Broadband and Social Justice Policy Summit.

According to the organization: "The MMTC Broadband and Social Justice Summit will highlight three of the greatest priorities in broadband policy today: achieving universal broadband access, adoption and informed use; meeting the nation's spectrum needs; and using broadband for civic engagement and social justice."

Sessions and events scheduled include "Implementing the National Broadband Plan," "The Obama Administration's Broadband Policy Priorities," "Universal Broadband Adoption: A Civil Rights Imperative," "The National Broadband Plan: What Must Be Done to Complete the Transition to the Digital Age," "The Wireless Future: Jobs and Economic Empowerment," "Broadband Innovation: An Engine of Social Justice" and a "High-Tech Policy Luncheon: The Policies That Will Deliver America 100% Broadband Access, Adoption and Affordability."

Also there will be several get-togethers with government officials and congressional personages.

Those committed to speak include FCC Commissioners Michael Copps and Meredith Attwell Baker; Rep. Cliff Stearns; Debbie Goldman of Communications Workers of America; Philip Weiser of the National Economic Council; Joseph Waz of Comcast; Brent Wilkes of the League of United Latin American Citizens; and Dr. Valerie White of the Black College Communication Association.