Public-Access Television

The Alternative Media Broadcaster

By: Virginia Krusteva

Purpose

To examine if Public Access

Television has the potential to

fill the gap caused by PBS

budget cuts

Brief Overview:Public – Access Television

(PEG) A form of Non – Commercial Mass Media

Grouped with Public, Educational &

Government Access TV Channels = PEG

Goal: To give voice to ordinary citizens

who otherwise wouldn’t be able to voice

opinions publicly

Was only available on Cable TV Systems

Began with the rise of cable TV in the late 70’s and early 80’s

Cable companies required to donate portion of revenue to provide domain for public comments

1984: the Cable Franchise Policy and Communications Act prohibited cable operators from exercising any editorial control over public-access channels (USA)

Public, Educational & Government

Public• Community

programming

• Based on

Community Interest

• Developed by

Individuals & Non-

Profit Organizations

Educational• Curated

• Instructional TV

Programming

• Schools use to

enhance curriculum

Government• Televise Public

Affairs

• Civic Meetings

• E.g.: Town hall

Meetings

Distinction from PBS

PBS

Professionally produced

Highly selective

Mostly Non-Local

National Audience

Government and donation funded

Public-Access TV

Special training not required

Public: Open topic/ uncurated

Could be regional, national & international

Funding usually from Cable Operators/

Membership fees

Why we need PEG

For the community, by the community

Provides diverse programming based on the

community

Two-way form of communication

Gives a medium to minority groups

Non-restrictive forum of free speech - not based

on skills or financial position

Educational

Transmits important government affairs

The Bad…

Lack of involvement from the community

Lack of interest in local happenings

Not objective

Limits pushed too far

PEG in Danger! Cable providers try to phase out PEG Stations,

because there are now so many other forums for

people who want to create their own media

Possible Agenda: Cable companies want more

bandwidth?

Who Suffers?

Lower income communities do not have the

access to the same technology

Internet: We receive what we look for – information

about our community is not simply given to us

Canada and PEG

“Community channels give Canadians the unique ability to see themselves and their

neighbourhoods, towns and cities reflected on television”

-Michel Arpin, the CRTC’s Vice-Chairman of Broadcasting

CRTC changed community television policy to enhance local participation

Community members must be involved in creation of at least 50% of community channel’s programming

(August 26, 2010)

What do you think?

Is PEG programming an

appropriate focus when

filling the gap caused by

PBS budget cuts?

Bibliography

“Community TV“ by www.freepress.net

“CRTC changes community television policy to enhance local participation” Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

“How Public Access TV Evolved into Community Media Centers” By Colin Rhinesmith

“Public Access Television: An Ongoing Effort to Restrict Your Free Speech” By Duke Gomez-Schempp - The People’s Press Project

“Public-Access TV Fights for Relevance in the YouTube Age” By Mike Rosen-Molina

“Who needs public access TV?” By Adrian McCoy Pittsburgh Post-Gazette