The Legal Edition-Legal, Business & Policy News
Public Service Announcement-For Immediate Release
2018 – FCC looking for public comment to remove funding requirement from Cable TV Franchises that fund Community Media
There is grave concern over the FCC’s work to cut off the funding that finds its way to local community media. This is no doubt going to be followed by cuts to public libraries. All Americans have a fundamental, First Amendment Right to Free Speech and Freedom of Assembly. Anyting less is unAmerican. Many veterans stood up and fought against the Nazi’s-who were known for their “book-burning” to suppress & stifle the flow of information. This is the effect that cutting funding to community media will have on Americans.
So it is at this time I ask everyone to stand up, tell everyone to write in during the public comments period. Tell the FCC how you will be harmed, how your community will be harmed, and how the American way of life will be harmed if community media is not funded as it has been, and how independent citizens will be deprived of the media outlet they need to learn, and engage as public citizens. To do this, we must all stand together, with one voice, united as Americans.
Please pass this request for public comment along–so that together we can fight for community media and for the chance for all Americans to listen and learn, and have a voice. We must be clear, nothing short of community TV funding will suffice.
Yours in First Amendment Freedoms in Media and Education,
Mary Kay Elloian, MBA, JD, Esq. – Host & Producer The Legal Edition-Legal, Business & Policy News www.TheLegalEdition.com
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Information Required to Respond to FCC – Public Comments by Nov. 14!
On September 24th of this year the FCC voted to change section 621(a)(1) of the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984. This section governs a key element of Community Access Television, the Franchise Fee. All towns and municipalities enter into contracts with cable providers to offer the residents television and internet services. For this opportunity the cable providers pay the town 5% of revenues each year, for the use of public way access (i.e. utility poles) for their cables and equipment.
Most towns use this money to support your community access station. This money allows residents to have access to equipment, expertise, local and government programming, school committee and town council, that you would not see on commercial channels. If this ruling is allowed to stand the town would lose much of this income to new channel fees imposed by the cable companies. Effectively ending our ability to function in the role we have done for the last 25 years. All local event coverage could cease to exist, July 4th parade, sporting events, government meetings and the programming produced by local people.
We are asking everyone, if you want to continue seeing the programming produced in your own community please take three minutes to let the FCC know by commenting to them using the contact information below before November 14th, when the FCC closes public comment on this important ruling. We have attached talking points should you want to use them to help frame your letter.
From all Cable Access Stations, thank you for your help in keeping our doors open.
Data announcement courtesy of Wakefield MA Community Access Television
TAKE THESE STEPS TO PROVIDE YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT TO THE FCC:
For online access –
Go to the link below for Public Comment filing:
https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings/express
Enter the number: 05-311 into the proceedings field.
Upon entry of numbers, it will self-highlight title: In the Matter of Implementation of Section 621(a) of the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984.
Fill out the information requested and submit. You may also keep/print a copy of your submission for your reference.
For postal mail:
Send your Public Comment to:
Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary
Federal Communications Commission
Office of the Secretary
445 12th Street, SW
Room TW-B204
Washington, DC 20554
Name of Issue for Public Comment:
In the Matter of Implementation of Section 621(a)(1) of the Cable
Communications Policy Act of 1984 as Amended
by the Cable Television Consumer Protection and
Competition Act of 1992
Talking points to consider when writing your comment:
Transparency
Government meetings and operational transparency
Used for transparency within the community. Citizens can keep up to date with governmental events by watching coverage of meetings and events while not being burdened with taking time from work or family to go and sit in the meeting.
Financial
Creative/Educational outlet which gives people access to equipment without having to buy it.
Historical
Archiving old town events for future generations to enjoy, as well as a record of past town governmental decisions.
Educational
Provide adult classes to help people learn new technologies.
Kids classes to open them to new experiences.
Educational event coverage which would not be covered by mainstream media.
College preparedness for high school students interested in the broadcast industry, practical experience.
Community
Provide public space for town groups to meet and mingle.
Covering programing so residents unable to attend can watch.
Promoting community groups and their messages.
Community access offers communication platform for dialogue, civic engagement and diverse perspectives not available from commercial media.
And don’t forget, tell them you their practice is discriminatory, and would inhibit those with disabilities and the elderly from taking part and learning about community issues and emergencies that could potentially save their life.
Public Comment Required by Nov. 14, 2018!!! – FCC Looking to Take Away Community Media Funding – Speak Up Before Community TV Disappears Forever!
The Legal Edition-Legal, Business & Policy News
Public Service Announcement-For Immediate Release
2018 – FCC looking for public comment to remove funding requirement from Cable TV Franchises that fund Community Media
There is grave concern over the FCC’s work to cut off the funding that finds its way to local community media. This is no doubt going to be followed by cuts to public libraries. All Americans have a fundamental, First Amendment Right to Free Speech and Freedom of Assembly. Anyting less is unAmerican. Many veterans stood up and fought against the Nazi’s-who were known for their “book-burning” to suppress & stifle the flow of information. This is the effect that cutting funding to community media will have on Americans.
So it is at this time I ask everyone to stand up, tell everyone to write in during the public comments period. Tell the FCC how you will be harmed, how your community will be harmed, and how the American way of life will be harmed if community media is not funded as it has been, and how independent citizens will be deprived of the media outlet they need to learn, and engage as public citizens. To do this, we must all stand together, with one voice, united as Americans.
Please pass this request for public comment along–so that together we can fight for community media and for the chance for all Americans to listen and learn, and have a voice. We must be clear, nothing short of community TV funding will suffice.
Yours in First Amendment Freedoms in Media and Education,
Mary Kay Elloian, MBA, JD, Esq. – Host & Producer The Legal Edition-Legal, Business & Policy News www.TheLegalEdition.com
__
Information Required to Respond to FCC – Public Comments by Nov. 14!
On September 24th of this year the FCC voted to change section 621(a)(1) of the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984. This section governs a key element of Community Access Television, the Franchise Fee. All towns and municipalities enter into contracts with cable providers to offer the residents television and internet services. For this opportunity the cable providers pay the town 5% of revenues each year, for the use of public way access (i.e. utility poles) for their cables and equipment.
Most towns use this money to support your community access station. This money allows residents to have access to equipment, expertise, local and government programming, school committee and town council, that you would not see on commercial channels. If this ruling is allowed to stand the town would lose much of this income to new channel fees imposed by the cable companies. Effectively ending our ability to function in the role we have done for the last 25 years. All local event coverage could cease to exist, July 4th parade, sporting events, government meetings and the programming produced by local people.
We are asking everyone, if you want to continue seeing the programming produced in your own community please take three minutes to let the FCC know by commenting to them using the contact information below before November 14th, when the FCC closes public comment on this important ruling. We have attached talking points should you want to use them to help frame your letter.
From all Cable Access Stations, thank you for your help in keeping our doors open.
Data announcement courtesy of Wakefield MA Community Access Television
TAKE THESE STEPS TO PROVIDE YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT TO THE FCC:
For online access –
Go to the link below for Public Comment filing:
https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings/express
Enter the number: 05-311 into the proceedings field.
Upon entry of numbers, it will self-highlight title: In the Matter of Implementation of Section 621(a) of the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984.
Fill out the information requested and submit. You may also keep/print a copy of your submission for your reference.
For postal mail:
Send your Public Comment to:
Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary Federal Communications Commission Office of the Secretary 445 12th Street, SW Room TW-B204 Washington, DC 20554
Name of Issue for Public Comment:
In the Matter of Implementation of Section 621(a)(1) of the Cable
Communications Policy Act of 1984 as Amended
by the Cable Television Consumer Protection and
Competition Act of 1992
Talking points to consider when writing your comment:
Transparency
Government meetings and operational transparency
Used for transparency within the community. Citizens can keep up to date with governmental events by watching coverage of meetings and events while not being burdened with taking time from work or family to go and sit in the meeting.
Financial
Creative/Educational outlet which gives people access to equipment without having to buy it.
Historical
Archiving old town events for future generations to enjoy, as well as a record of past town governmental decisions.
Educational
Provide adult classes to help people learn new technologies.
Kids classes to open them to new experiences.
Educational event coverage which would not be covered by mainstream media.
College preparedness for high school students interested in the broadcast industry, practical experience.
Community
Provide public space for town groups to meet and mingle.
Covering programing so residents unable to attend can watch.
Promoting community groups and their messages.
Community access offers communication platform for dialogue, civic engagement and diverse perspectives not available from commercial media.
And don’t forget, tell them you their practice is discriminatory, and would inhibit those with disabilities and the elderly from taking part and learning about community issues and emergencies that could potentially save their life.