future of public media

I am monitoring the FCC's "Workshop on Public and Other Noncommercial Media in the Digital Era" FCC workshop. There is a discussion focusing upon public media, non-profit journalism, media diversity, and topics including local communities. FCC members are listening to PBS producers, and administrators, broadcast lobbyist, and others. But missing from the table are PUBLIC ACCESS stations.

How can the FCC be serious about holding a workshop or any public forum covering a topic that includes the word "Public Media" while excluding groups representing Public Access stations?

It is disturbing to hear the term "public media" in the context of open debate concerning issues such as government funding, media diversity, local journalism without representation from Public Access organizations present. The public access community should also be outraged and outraged that through such discussions, at a government agency level, others are allowed to cloud the public access brand by, what I feel is infringing upon, the term " public media " as they exclude public access television centers.

Public Access television can be found all over this country and may be as broad based and widely seen as any other broadcast or cable network.

We say that "WCCA TV is more that a TV station , it is a community resource" and that is what makes us so unique. Not only are public access stations such as WCCA TV 13, providing important unique and local news and information programming. It does something that no other media, including PBS does. It provides hands on opportunities and media tools, to individuals as well as organizations, necessary to learn and develop skills in television and electronic media production as well as to directly participate in the creation and distribution of what I believe is the most relevant programming in a public forum that is presented on television and digital outlets. Public Access generally benefits their community with a substantially much higher return ( exceeding 150 times more in many cases) for the public investment as well.

I invite you to go back an review What is going on at WCCA for a glimpse at what this public access center is doing. Imagine, the combined value of every access center in Massachusetts and even the nation.

Learn, Create, Connect those three words sum up what WCCA TV 13 , "The People's Channel", is all about.
Support Public Access Television today.

I hope the FCC would consider being a little more inclusive with future workshops.

I consider WCCA TV to be public, by nature of it's mission and non-commercial content don't you.