[cma-l] Community Television in the U.S. Congress

[Jaqui Devereux]

The Alliance for Community Media applauds Wisconsin Congresswoman
Tammy Baldwin for introducing the Community Access Preservation (CAP)
Act of 2009 (PDF) to address the challenges faced by public,
education, and government (PEG) TV channels and community access
television stations.

Nationwide, many community access television stations have been forced
to shut down or severely limit their operations as a result of a
combination of state law changes and FCC decisions, which cable
television operators are claiming permit them to eliminate funding and
important in-kind support they have traditionally provided to local
community access television channels.

In addition, several video providers have begun to carry PEG channels
differently than commercial channels, broadcasting them in reduced
resolution and in a way that makes it impossible for subscribers to
select or record them like other channels.  In some cases, customers
must now pay extra fees in order to receive PEG channels, which were
intended by Congress to be available to everyone in the community.  In
other cases, operators are refusing to pass through PEG closed
captioning unless a special request is made.

This treatment undervalues PEG channels and their viewers.  "Local
access channels bring unique voices, perspectives, and programming to
television," said Congresswoman Baldwin.  "The nature of television
programming is changing, as are the methods in which that programming
is delivered.  These changes should not come at the expense of the
diversity and vibrancy of local voices," Baldwin said.  "Our office
has asked the FCC to address some of these issues immediately.
However, while we continue to urge the FCC to act, the FCC cannot
address all the immediate problems, and it is important for Congress
to do so."

PEG channels connect residents with their local government in much the
same way C-SPAN connects people to activities in Congress.  Local
school districts operate channels to reach the community with school
board meetings and forums, interviews, lectures, and sporting events
not otherwise seen on television.  Additionally, community public
access stations provide a place where residents can learn video
production, check out equipment, and create their own programs.

According to a survey conducted by the National Association of
Telecommunications Officers and Advisors, religious programming
represents 20-40% of the content appearing on local PEG channels.

While the mistreatment of PEG is being challenged in the courts and
the FCC, many communities and PEG stations are not in a position to
protect their interests effectively.

The Community Access Preservation (CAP) Act addresses four immediate
issues facing PEG (summary).  The CAP Act would:

                        â?¢ Allow PEG fees to be used for any PEG-
related purpose

                        â?¢ Require PEG channels to be carried in the
same manner as local broadcast channels

                        â?¢ Require the FCC to study the effect state
video franchise laws have had on PEG, and require operators in states
that adopted statewide franchising to provide     support equal to the
greater of the support required under the state law, or the support
historically provided for PEG, and

                        â?¢ Make cable television-related laws and
regulations applicable to all landline video providers.


"Decisions at the state and federal level have combined to create a
crisis for PEG.  With the CAP Act, Rep. Baldwin effectively addresses
the most immediate problems and opens the door to the future by
preserving support for PEG while the FCC conducts its study.  This
bill is critical to us.  Wisconsin's rich community access heritage is
on the line," said Mary Cardona, Executive Director of the Wisconsin
Association of PEG Channels..

"Community Media has a four decade history of connecting communities
with their governments, schools, churches, friends and neighbors.

The future existence of community media is being threatened against
the intent of Congress for localism and diversity of voices in
media.   With the CAP Act, Rep. Baldwin addresses immediate needs to
preserve and protect the important role PEG channels play in advancing
democratic ideals through community uses of media," said Matt
Schuster, Chair, Alliance for Community Media.

Baldwin's legislation is supported by the Alliance for Community Media
(public policy platform) and the National Association of
Telecommunication Officers and Advisors.