Telegram

Telegram's Nick Kotsopoulos writes about contract delays affecting WCCA TV. The city's re-review of data that really has been done has taken exceptionally too long. The ascertainment window, the time to assess community opened in 2004 and ended when the city entered formal negotiations with Charter Communications. Whatever the city was able to negotiated for is now available within the franchise license to meet the community needs. The city council asked, through the form of a motion, for the City Manager to have a contract signed with WCCA by the end of June. Is there no teeth or follow up to such motions ? We are not sure what parameters the consulting attorney Jim Baller, was told to work on, we are sure, however, that there are many cities that have apparently acquired better franchise conditions to support their Public Access channel and PEG Channels. Especially when looking at cities as large or larger than Worcester. Given our experience of this so called process and holding on to good faith, even as we try to set aside the fears of many concerned that there may be a possible pre determined agenda, we hope the Manager will give due consideration to the community needs assessment which provided a quantified demonstration highlighting a community need to support for WCCA without any decrease in funding or capital. Either this city, the City Manager and the City Council wants the people's channel, an important and empowering community resource that fosters a free flow on information and free speech, to continue to flourish or it doesn't. Thank you Nick for fair and informational piece.

Congratulations and THANKS to all involved with producing yesterday’s special edition of Soapbox: “YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW” a forum discussion held in honor of Sunshine Week.

The Panel included Jay Whearly, City Editor for the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, Patricia Smith, Assistant District Attorney, Bill Randell, citizen blogger, Jaime Flores, reporter for Vocero Hispano, Mike Benedetti, WCCA TV and also a Worcester Indymedia volunteer. I hosted and moderated the discussions.

I found the program to be informative and encouraging. Panelist shared their experiences, challenges and success', with accessing government records. We also learned about open meeting law. Panelist also offered suggestions for improvemnets and to encourage openness in government as well.

This event also represented an historical first for Worcester as this was a unique collabortive effort between traditional and non-tradition media.

Access to government is not just important to professional journalist it is important to every citizen.

Stay tuned to WCCA TV 13 and to this web site for more as WCCA's Mike will be posting much more about this event very soon.

The event was shot live to tape, special thanks to WCCA staff, interns and volunteers for producing an excellent quality prodution. The event also included a live audience which included a city councilor, attorneys, professional and citizen journalist, and other public access producers.

We look forward to offering the video available for downloading ASAP.

The video will be cable cast on WCCA TV 13, “The People’s Channel” on

Thursday, March 22 at 9PM

with an encore presentation on

Friday,March 23 at 10:30 AM

For more about the forum videotaped at WCCA visit: ‘Right to know’ belongs to all by Matthew Brunn Telegram and Gazette Staff

Thanks again to all participating panelist, and all media partners and sponsors.

Everyday citizens have every right to government information and to access to the government, WE THE PEOPLE, have formed.