Let your government know how important PEG access stations are to our communities.
Engagement
I am currently volunteering at our Community Television Network. It's been a great experience and I look forward to helping
them all I can. I urge you all to become more involved in community media. Become a member of CTN or other stations in the
area. Volunteer at your local stations. Help out anyway you can. Show how much community television means to you. Go down
to your local station, sign up for some classes, learn all you can and start producing your own programs. Let your voices
be heard.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing
that ever has." - Margaret Mead
It is clear PEG access stations are becoming uncertain of their future. I read within the next 10 years these stations
could be gone all together. I don't believe the communities these stations serve will let that happen, but the threat is real.
PEG access here in Maine seems to have a lot of support. However our Portland PEG station CTN has recently had to ask for
support from the community to help with financing their programing. In a way this is asking the people that love this programing
to pay for it twice. These expenses should be covered by the local franchise agreements. With special rules for the new telcos
AT&T and Verizon around the country, cable companies such as Time Warner are trying to back out of their obligations to
the community. We have allowed them to make billions of dollars using our public right of ways. Funding community television
stations for the people, with programs made by the people is a very small price for them to pay. There is a great passion
for community television all around the country, yet some stations are losing funding and some have even been shut down. Some
local governments don't see the importance of a community station, or don't think it's as important as other things cities
are struggling to fund. It must be made clear around the country that PEG access is important to the people. Competition between
the cable and telco corporations seems like a good thing but franchise agreements should still support our PEG stations.
Below are some links you might find interesting. You can really feel the passion some have for the importance of PEG access
stations.
