Save Access

Nice letter in the Telegram & Gazette today:

When I started as an ESL teacher at Worcester State College, teaching listening and speaking, I contacted a number of local TV and radio stations to give my students access to their stations for experiential learning purposes.

No one opened their doors for me, except the community channel WCCA TV 13.

Read the entire letter.

WCCA presented a petition to the city council last night, asking for closure
and for the city to settle a new contract with WCCA before the end of
June. Councilor Rosen lead a motion by the council asking the city manager
to finalize a contract with the well liked station (WCCA)by the end of
June if possible. The motion passed unanimously. Mayor Lukes agreed , adding that it is time for closure on this matter.

WCCA has submitted a draft proposed contract which includes similar practical oversight and contractual obligations that has made WCCA's growth over the past 12 years possible. We sincerely hope the city manager will continue to allow WCCA to continue to meet community media needs and continue as a cutting edge public access model. As I said before, either the city leaders will support WCCA as an empowering community resource for all, or it will compromise it.

PETITION on behalf of many signatures and supporters of WCCA to the City Council:

WCCA TV
“The People's Channel”

Mission
To ensure people have access to the use of a public forum through various channels of communication including technology and media with education and training resources.

Benefits to the Community:
Citizen Produced programming: Behind every show and every electronic message there is a Worcester person, group or organization behind it.

Increased Communications within the city: WCCA is a voice for all a beacon to Worcester's diversity, fresh ideas, news and information, a home to all types of different languages and ethnic backgrounds. Inspires discussion and encourages community dialog.

Citizen Empowerment through Electronic media: Opened to all on a non-discriminatory basis, WCCA is participatory and democratic media. WCCA provides access to channels tools, education and resources to media which in turn, allows people to make a difference, impact their community through shared ideas, opinions, and action. People become franchised owners through such participatory use.

Shared diversity of Ideas, culture and information: WCCA is unmatched in the number of programs that aere Worceseter centric. WCCA presents locally produced News, in nearly every language, the vast spectrum of ideas, backgrounds ethnicity, technology , institutional offerings, individual opinions, together, contributes substantially to the creative and smart city model.

Promotion of sense of city pride: Watch WCCA programming or read letters we receive from around the world, WCCA is window into Worcester. Community media producers are more than proud of their accomplishments, WCCA is a model public access center, more importantly, the public access process , as a free speech platform, nurtures community spirit and pride.

Community outreach venue: Nearly every non-profit in Worcester has taken advantage of WCCA, as an affordable media tool it is unmatched and extremely valuable.

WHAT MAKES WCCA TV IMPORTANT FOR YOU?
Community Building block giving voice to the invisible in our community
Classes and Workshops on TV or media, from KidsNet/Youth Channel, Young Views Real News, Internships, Weekly production courses, web classes.
WCCA's Interactive website and streaming media,
WCCA's Community Computer Lab
Internships and volunteer opportunities
Producing MY OWN Community Media, your own TV show
Being a guest on any of the hundreds of locally originated WCCA shows.
Local news and information, programming you can not find anywhere else. TV BY THE PEOPLE FOR THE PEOPLE AND OF THE PEOPLE.
Outreach the station provides fro non-profits, cultural events, social service agencies, artist.
Other:

Thanks for your support.
Leave your answer as a comment.

The T&G published a follow up story about the recent Public Service and Transportation Meeting. One of the items during that meeting was to discuss the needs of WCCA TV, Worcester's Public Access Station.
It was called to my attention that the story apparently inspired comments from the public regading WCCA TV. I generally disregard such comments mostly because they are anonymous. However, I wanted to share some of the positive ones.
WCCA is great place to work because it is place that is doing many positive and great things that really benefit all of us who live in Worcester. I do receive personal attacks from time to time, that comes with the territory of any leadership position. However such personal attacks should never be taken as a reflection of a company or it's mission or its worthy achievements. So to the following commentators, thank you for your support and good words.

Reader Comments

"Public Access gives people a chance a chance to participate at numerous levels be it access to media tools and resources, niche programming, training,producing in studio, on location or presenting video. That is, in part, what Public Access is supposed to be. Giving people access to a channel, and as well as tools and facility to create. WCCA holds true to that in every way. Community productions or presentations do count because it is about giveing members of our community an opportunity to submit video, share information, announce events, share views and opinions, within the parameters of it's non-profit status. The additional channel should not be determined solely by such a narrow definition of video hours, even though WCCA surpasses such benchmarks. WCCA plays an important role in the creative city scape. WCCA is one of the most transparent companies around. The city gets quarterly financial and operational reports. WCCA is an open book. Look at the channel or view it's web site. It's amazing how a few obviously disgruntled malcontents attack the station that directly impacts positive benefits to Worcester. Where is your zeal to attack Charter and the phone companies who have been ripping us all off for decades and pandering to city officials and big media? The city and its committees, should view WCCA, an asset and one of the strongest advocates for people's voices around, and stand with the station to fight on behalf of the invisible voices that WCCA serves well. My favorite shows are LAW, Senior Speak, Soapbox, and For What It's Worth. I used to volunteer until I moved. I still watch the streaming content on line however."
-max access

"My favorite WCCA shows are Love Truth & Miracles, Stand Tall, Flipside, Snow Ghost, Ramona Interviews, Static Fusion, the music specials and that live election night special was great and the cultural coalition's candidate night was very informative. I love the african, middle eastern and asian music too. My Albanian aunt loves the Albanian news. I also love their interactive website. WCCA is truly for everyone we should support it. I hope others join me in sending WCCA a donation to help them out. I not only watch it I help produce a show at WCCA."
-nisa

"Senior Speak - a show for senior citizens made by senior citizens. Have you ever seen a show for seniors on any other channel? For elderly folks who can't get out and about this show is a treasure."
-HavaANiceDay

"I know some of the staff members and I know for certain, that every single person at the station is making less than what they should & deserve to be making. Mauro has given the last twenty years of his life to make WCCA the model public access station it is. The diversity of community programming is a true reflection of the city and its many communities. The station's 9 person staff and payroll is not the issue. The mission of the station lies in the balance. The destiny of this valuable institution should not be taken lightly not only because it(access to the channel, equipment, training, professional staff) provides us with one of the last vestiges for democratic media and bridge to the digital divide, but because to diminish its capacity will be to diminish our free speech and ability to participate in changing our city through electronic media. I can't answer for Nisa, but my favorite shows are Community Vision, Country Video Jam, Soapbox, Worcester Here and Now, Cooking with Georgia, Artist Showcase, Young Views Real News,Democracy Now! and many more. Thanks WCCA, you have my support."
-R.S

"The fact that WCCA TV is in a 60/40 split for funding is criminally absurd. Channel 13 has an audience in Ghana, Haiti and Shri Lanka and is on the air almost 24/7 with a phenomenal variety of local programing. A recent documentary on terrorism in Shri Lanka has been met with international acclaim by the European and Asian press. Anyone who thinks that no one is watching TV 13 is living in a Rod Serling episode. WCCA TV 13 is, not only, the Little Engine that could, but is the Little Engine that DID and still DOES - every day, seven days a week, every week, every month of every year. Any other city the size of Worcester would celebrate and showcase a premiere public access station like Channel 13. But then, when you look at the Galleria, an empty train station, a reflecting pool full of dirt (again) and an obstruction which passes for a park blocking the front of the Hanover Theatre - what can we as citizens truly expect?"
-Chas

"WCCA does a great job. The city should be doing all they can to encourage the great work. Quantitative evidence proves he station is watched by many, there is a proven community demand for the services it provides, no one in the staff is getting a 'hefty salary' (They, the entire staff, deserve much more for the tremendous amount of work they do), the city hall girl that shoots those few government meetings gets more than the station manager of WCCA. The three city lawyers, at that meeting, combined, make about as much as the entire station budget.That is twisted and absurd.
The only cut backs Charter and the city lawyers negotiated is a cut back on what the people of this city would have gained with a better franchise agreement. The city lawyer pointed to tough times effecting the poor cable companies,however there are also cities in the USA increasing support for their public access center. Many small towns in New England, negotiate more per capita to support it's access center than Worcester does. The cable franchise and public access is based on a percentage of gross annual profits, it has nothing to do with your rate hikes. The franchise never has prohibited competition as well. Mauro said, last night, that the station has provided nearly 140 Million over the last ten years in media services to benefit all of Worcester. No other TV station or media has done as much for the city at large. That .20 cents would go into Charter's pocket rather than to customers or the people's TV channel. Anything Charter gives the city is: 1.Because it has to by contract and 2.Because it is one of a a duopoly. Charter cares less about giving anything back to Worcester or any town. WCCA deserves all it is entitled to by congressional law. It is suspicious to find anyone speaking out against a station that is TV by for and of the People. Personal attacks have no place in a debate for community voices. I appreciate and support WCCA TV, I think you should too"
-nisa

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, PEOPLE OF WORCESTER.

Last night, March 19th, WCCA met with members of the city council's Public Service and Transportation Committee to discuss WCCA's operational and capital needs for the next five years.

Councilors Joe Petty, Gary Rosen and William Eddy were very receptive and expressed their support for WCCA. Gary Rosen passionately expressed that he hopes to be joined by all his colleagues on the council in a call for assurances to ensure WCCA will continue the valuable level of service and to meet future community media needs.

Congratulations to YOU, Worcester. Thanks to the people and organizations of Worcester for the tremendous outpouring of support and encouragement you have given to WCCA TV over the past years. You have have helped us with your letters, editorials, post cards, petitions, attendance at cable meetings, and your many phone calls to city leaders. Because of your efforts, the city was able to negotiate a decent contract with Charter. The city will soon be receiving the funding and capital needed to continue WCCA TV's public access mission.

Now WCCA's funding and its future lies in the hands of City Manager Michael O'Brien. It is up to him to allocate funding pursuant to YOUR needs as ascertained by the city. YOU have spoken at those public hearings and through YOUR letters, before the PS&T and Cable Advisory committees. Both Committees echoed your request for increased funding, equipment capital and additional channel for WCCA TV “The People's Channel”, YOUR VISION TELEVISION. The city has been sensitive to all of our voices and, so far, to the needs of public access.

Your continued support is more vital now than ever. Please continue those calls and letters to our councilors and the City Manager.

Stay alert for upcoming public hearings regarding the future of WCCA. Sign up for our WCCA mailing list. Together, we may be able to convince the Manager to see to it that WCCA sustains at least the current level of service and community productions. We must press on together. That is what makes this truly "the people's channel".

Sincerely on behalf of the Volunteers, Community Producers, Interns, KidsNet/Youth Channel Students, Community Board, and Staff, Thank you.
Mauro DePasquale

Other reasons why WCCA TV, "The People's Channel" matters to you: Freedom of speech, to provide a means for the free flow of information, to help keep an informed citizenry, to provide a platform where everyone can participate, because it is a station that YOU own. TV BY FOR and OF the People. WCCA is your vision television(R)

On a very related note Bill Coleman asks us to consider
Red Skelton's Pledge of allegiance:

Thanks Bill

WCCA has been very vocal about the damages of such legislation. It is amazing how deaf to reason the political world can be. Go to the sunlight foundation and check out who is being paid off by cable and phone lobbyist. Then it may become apparent why legislation and other government actions diminish all that has been accomplished in PUBLIC ACCESS in past years through local cable franchises.
Feel free to share your findings here at WCCA's website.
READ MORE:

http://www.natoa.org/2008/03/natoa-survey-impact-of-state-v.html

NATOA Survey: Impact of State Video Services Legislation
March 5, 2008 11:10 AM
Impact of State Video Services Legislation
Early Results Do Not Evidence Sufficient Competitive Benefits

Alexandria , VA – The National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) today released results of a preliminary survey it conducted among its members to obtain a snapshot of the impact state video services legislation has had to date on communities and subscribers. While state video franchising is still a relatively new concept, the survey posed questions regarding its effects on competition, rates and services, PEG (Public, Educational and Governmental) access, and consumer complaints. Responses came from 14 of the states which have adopted state video legislation. A total of 139 Local Franchising Authorities (LFAs), representing 10 million cable subscribers (15% of cable subscribers nationwide), participated in the survey.

The results of the survey indicate that incumbent cable providers are taking advantage of the change in law, with one third of respondents indicating that the incumbent had abandoned its local franchise for one issued by the state. New entrants are seeking only state franchises. In franchise areas affected by state legislation, 27% of participants report one new entrant, and 6% report more than one new entrant in operation. Thirty-five percent (35%) of LFAs report the new entrant has not built anything; 48% report the new entrant has built out to part of the community; while only 18% report that the new entrant is in the process of or has built out to the entire community.

As a result of these changes, NATOA was disappointed to learn that under state legislation thus far:

* Rates have not decreased according to 98% of those surveyed.

* Incumbent basic rates have increased $1.12 for analog and $1.51 for digital

* Most new entrants do not market a Basic Service Tier nor report rates, which makes consumer comparison shopping difficult at best.

* Consumer complaints remain high with 74% of respondents reporting the same level of complaints, except as they relate to the availability of choice of provider

* The majority of LFAs reported that on incumbent systems, the number of PEG (Public, Educational and Governmental) access channels has remained constant (97%) and that the technical quality has remained the consistent (89%). PEG channel positions on new entrant systems were reported as different from the incumbents by 39% with worse or poor technical quality reported by 36% on new entrant systems. PEG funding was the same for 44% of the LFAs, whereas funding increased for 12% and actually decreased for 22% of respondents.

* Overall, 82% of LFAs do not believe that state video legislation is having a positive impact on their community; 90% believe that PEG programming is not being treated in an equitable manner by new entrants; and 97% believe that customer service has not improved under state supervision.

“We were anxious to get this first snap shot and to set the bar against which future data can be collected and judged,” said NATOA Executive Director Libby Beaty. “Clearly, this legislation is very new in many places, and only time will tell whether, once implementation is complete, it will prove to have benefited consumers more than the corporations that sought the legislative changes. We are hopeful that it is the consumer who will win, but clearly it’s too soon to see those benefits yet. State legislation just out of the gate is not resulting in price reduction, the primary reason used to justify state over local regulation.”

Read the Executive Summary of the Survey Here.
Contact: Libby Beaty, Executive Director, 703-519-8035

We briefed you with this Tip and here is something, I feel gives a slightly different perspective relative to the issues impact on our PEG channels from our friends in public access in Grand Rapids:

Link

Shared by Chuck Sherwood on the ACM list serve.
Thanks Laurie, Thanks for sharing it Chuck.

Why a long term cable contract would be a smarter option.
Unlike typical city related contracts, a cable franchise agreement is a strategic telecommunication opportunity. The city's long term plan telecom plan requires a long term infrastructure, thus a long term agreement.

Read the filed Editorial.