Written by AS I SEE WCCA TV 13, “The People’s Channel”
A Public Access institution such as WCCA TV 13, a non-profit, charitable institution, offers a unique strategic benefit to a city.
A PLACE FOR PUBLIC ACCESS TELEVISION
As long as there continues to exist television companies and networks that distribute video programming FOR PROFIT, on any mode of transmission, there will be a need for Public Access / Community Television. People from all socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds will always need access to a community television facility in order to freely and fully participate at a level playing field, in our democratic process, as well as to help build our community. While social web platforms such as YouTube may provide some technically low level video sharing it does not provide the full scope of opportunities and benefits available for all members of our community ( education, access to cutting edge pre and post production studios and suites, and professional support ) that WCCA TV does.
WCCA TV 13 is TV by the People, For the People and Of the People.
SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC ACCESS TELEVISION
The intention behind initial Cable Act was to provide the people with empowering broadband tools in exchange for a cable provider’s rights of way. This empowering purpose was not to be limited to just advance a government department or agency, but to benefit the people in our communities at large, including individuals and non-profit organizations. Cable companies pay Federal, State and Local statutory taxes in addition to Franchise fees which are paid in exchange for rights or way. While city “tax” money should be utilized to support 911, Public Works, Police, Fire, and School departments, and perhaps other city services, the regulated cable franchise and associated license fees are intended for public access community media and, by law, can not be used for non-public access purposes.
The notion of government investing “it’s” tax revenue money to pay for day to day Public Access operations is, in many instances, completely misguided and wrong. Public Access payments come from gross annual revenues, “PROFITS” reaped by the cable or system provider(s). For instance, in Worcester, this years financial support for the three PEG channels (11, 12, and WCCA TV 13) comes from a a remaining balance from a 5% percentage figure of the cable company’s adjusted profits earned the previous year. It’s not considered city “tax” money nor is it really subscriber money, as it’s calculated from the cable company’s profit. Although the cable company may be allowed to pass that cost of business through to the subscribers, to recoup their profit margin from the previous year, there is no law forcing them to so. We have heard of some cities that have negotiated to prohibit that practice.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT’S ROLE IN MEETING COMMUNITY TELEVISIONS NEED
When it comes to community assessments and funding for public access, ideally, the initial role of government is to ascertain community media needs and to ensure those community media needs are acknowledged and reasonably met. According to Congressional law, that includes to support assurances for public access/community television will have the capacity to met such needs and that proper franchise provisions are made available to enable the public access facilities to operate at their fullest, according to what is allowable by regulatory law.
WHAT WCCA TV 13 PUBLIC ACCESS CHANNEL DOES
Our mission at WCCA TV is not rooted in profit making or commercial enterprise, however it is to ensure people have access to the use of a public forum through various channels of communication including technology and media with education and training resources.
Public Access facilities place video tools and channels of communication and the necessary faculties and professional support directly into the hands of those who need it.
Many of those who utilize our facilities can not afford their own on-line connections, professional television equipment, training or related education, technical staff assistance, and studio or post production space.
It is important part of our mission to ensure that public access is available, when needed, to serve local niche programming needs as determined by the community. There’s more to it than to just to watch government meetings or entertaining programming, although a nice caveat.
While some viewer may enjoy the ease of watching something like a reality show about the Kardashians or some other network produced production available on a commercial network channel, it may not be as easy for the viewer to appear on that same channel, in front of behind the camera, sharing their own story. Commercial network channels and even public broadcasting channels are not necessarily set up to provide a fully equipped production available to accommodate grassroots, community media needs including access to studio space, production accessories, edit suites, cameras, lights, etc.. Public Access provides the opportunity for everyone, young and old, of different backgrounds, to be operating behind the equipment or to be talent in front of it, to be producing or presenting their own TV video program, sharing local news and information,to access production training, to distribute their message on cable, the web ( wired or wireless or satellite). Public Access is an empowering resource, and yes, you can also “watch” and enjoy locally produced programming there as well.
Some find public access television shows are more meaningful than commercial network TV, as public access programming offers local programming reflecting the people and interest of our own community.
Public Access television activities are set upon a foundation of free speech, and a free flow of community news and local information, a strategic importance to any healthy democracy in action.
With the hundreds of video channel/networks on cable, over the air and available through the Internet, many owned by only a handful conglomerates, only a Public Access channel and facility, such as WCCA TV 13, provides the complete package of majority local programming, public access to the tools, channels, education, and professional hands on service to encourage community members, individuals and organizations, to participate in producing or presenting their own TV/video programming, sharing their voice, their story, to outreach and to connect, in a unique way. Included in that package is access to a professional environment, a creative setting, with professional staff and also volunteer support. It’s a center where many share in a creative common interest to build community through community television as well as to elevate and develop, through a hands on, experiential process, personal communication and career skills.
Public Access serves a strategic benefit to our community playing an important roll in bridging the digital divide as well as tears down walls that separate us as we learn from the stories of others. The production process often involves and fosters a spirit of collaboration and partnership. Our programs reflect the interest of our community along with their views and opinions, fostering and nurturing a participatory and creative culture, or, as some wold call it, democracy in action. WCCA TV does not have to compete with commercial network channels or Internet TV, because it is something totally different, a true local and empowering community resource.
Local Cable Franchise support for WCCA TV has not been enough to meet the needs of a city as large as Worcester. If you are able to help underwrite our programing visit the DONATE section of our web page at http://www.wccatv.com/donate or to find out how you can help including, as always, we welcome suggestions on how we can improve our service to our community.simply contact me at 508-755-1880 ext. 11
Thank you
Mauro DePasquale , Executive Director, WCCA TV 13
WCCA TV 13, Channeling Community since 1986
Learn, Create, Connect
