I can’t speak for the rest of the staff, volunteers, or community producers here at WCCA TV, but a major reason that I support WCCA TV is due to “MEDIA DEMOCRACY.” Of course, many of you will, probably, ask the question of what this means. To me, Media Democracy is where there is genuine access to communicate through mass media communications for people of all incomes, abilities, ethnicities, races, gender identities, ages, political views, nations of origin, religions, languages, social standings, and any other socio-economic or cultural demographic groups that could be listed. By this, I don’t mean access alone, I mean equal access.
This is so vitally important in an age where increased consolidation of corporate media is occurring in both print and television. The danger of voices being stifled by the profit interests of corporations in media seems greater than I can remember in my lifetime. This, also, means that local perspectives are at-risk of being slowly silenced through economic attrition in which local coverage isn’t as profitable and cost-effective as programming that would appeal to larger audiences. For years, I have heard people advocate for freedom of speech, but I think we should, also, ask ourselves if a person TRULY has “freedom of speech” if they don’t have access to the mediums by which speech is heard in our time. I may have the freedom to say what I want, but if I don’t have the freedom to speak it in a place that people will hear it, then how much freedom do I actually possess?
This is why supporting MEDIA DEMOCRACY through organizations like WCCA TV is so vitally important. WCCA TV, and other community media centers like us, are places in our local communities where the local voices from people of all backgrounds and perspectives can be heard. We provide access to technology, TV Media, and training with the very purpose of empowering people’s ability to express themselves through media. Organizations like WCCA TV are the protectors and creators of MEDIA DEMOCRACY.
Like every other struggle for justice, equity, and freedom, WCCA TV needs assistance in our effort to maintain and expand the freedoms we seek to provide every day. That’s why I ask you to consider helping us out with a donation (whatever you can afford) for our efforts to give a space in media for all the local voices of our community.
To provide a donation, you can call 508-755-1880 or go to www.wccatv.com/donate and click the button for the type of donation you seek to provide. Also, you may send a check to WCCA TV, 415 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608.
Thank You,
Joseph S. Townsend