From the Web: http://www.ctcnet.org/lists/members97/0100.htm NEWS RELEASE******************************* BELL ATLANTIC   For Immediate Release Contact: July 9, 1996 Larry Plumb, (703) 708-4360 Bell Atlantic lawrence.d.plumb@bell-atl.com   Dan Wilson, (704) 339-6276 NAACP   NAACP, BELL ATLANTIC ANNOUNCE COMMUNICATIONS ALLIANCE   Agreement Will Provide NAACP with Web Site, Allow Members to Connect On-line   CHARLOTTE, NC -- The NAACP and Bell Atlantic today announced a communications alliance designed to bring America's oldest civil rights organization on-line.   NAACP President and CEO Kweisi Mfume and Bell Atlantic Chairman and CEO Ray Smith unveiled the organization's new Internet home page on the World Wide Web at the organization's 87th annual national convention here. Bell Atlantic provided expertise and funded development of the site.   "Bell Atlantic has a long history of being a leader in the communications business. I have been impressed with their vision, their leadership and their assistance in helping move the NAACP into the Information Age," Mfume said.   "We are proud to help launch into cyberspace the NAACP's struggle to obtain racial justice," Smith said. "By providing access to the Internet, hosting the NAACP Web site, and furnishing the NAACP staff with an on-line communication system, Bell Atlantic is not only linking the NAACP's national headquarters with its far flung chapters and membership, but with the 24 million global users of the Internet as well."   Cyberspace -- though "neutral" like the airwaves -- is beginning to be occupied by cyberhate, Smith explained. "Today, Bell Atlantic levels the digital playing field by providing the NAACP with the means to combat cyberhate. Now it's the NAACP's turn to disseminate its messages on the Net, to build coalitions in cyberspace, to link chapter members through e-mail, to create virtual libraries and sponsor electronic forums for debate," Smith said.   Bell Atlantic's Internet Solutions unit will provide the NAACP with access to the Internet, home page design and hosting on a Bell Atlantic server, customer service support and an association member services communications system that will allow NAACP headquarters to communicate more effectively with its chapters. It will also offer local NAACP chapters a discount onWeb site design, set-up and hosting.   The NAACP will be able to use its state-of-the-art Web site to promote the association to the general public and to attract new members. In addition, it will be able to use a closed, "secure" network for internal association business. This network can be used to enhance communications and information exchange between NAACP headquarters and NAACP chapters. Specific services available to chapters will include e-mail and access to discussion forums and libraries of files that can be read and downloaded.   Bell Atlantic Internet Solutions will host the NAACP's Web site, which was designed with Issue Dynamics Inc., a public affairs consulting firm that works to build bridges between the public, consumer interests, industry and government leaders. Application Programming & Development Inc. (APDI), one of the nation's premier on-line system service bureaus, will host the organization's closed network in conjunction with Bell Atlantic.   The NAACP is the oldest and largest civil rights organization on Earth. Its national headquarters is located in Baltimore, Md.   Bell Atlantic Internet Solutions is a new unit of Bell Atlantic created to develop and deliver a full range of Internet services to businesses, governments and consumers -- from access to electronic mail to World Wide Web site production and hosting.   Bell Atlantic Corporation (NYSE: BEL) is at the forefront of the new communications, entertainment and information industry. In the mid-Atlantic region, the company is the premier provider of local telecommunications and advanced services. Globally, it is one of the largest investors in the high-growth wireless communication marketplace. Bell Atlantic also owns a substantial interest in Telecom Corporation of New Zealand and is actively developing high-growth national and international business opportunities in all phases of the industry.   ####   ####   INTERNET USERS: The NAACP's World Wide Web site can be found at http://www.naacp.org.   Bell Atlantic news releases, executive speeches, news media contacts and other useful information are available on Bell Atlantic's media relations World Wide Web site (http://www.ba.com),or by gopher (gopher://ba.com). To receive news releases via e-mail send a message to lists @ba.com.