Free Speech TV in Fresno

Free Speech TV in Fresno
By Mike Rhodes

The franchise renewal process between Fresno and Comcast Cable is proceeding - slowly. The slow pace is the result of a complicated process and is not unexpected or unusual according to Sue Buske, the consultant working for the City of Fresno in these negotiations.

The new franchise agreement will determine what the future of cable TV will look like in this area for the next 10-20 years. The goal is to have Public, Education, and Government (PEG) access channels, a Community Media Center, and an Institutional Network (the I-Net).

PEG access provides a channel or multiple channels on the cable network for public, education, and government programming. The cable company provides the channels at no cost. They do this because they are given access to public rights-of-way (roads, easements, etc.) to run cable throughout the community. They agree to provide PEG channels to compensate the community for the use of the public’s space. The public access channels typically provide programming produced by community groups and individuals. A program on the public channel could be about tenant rights and produced by Central California Legal Services or it could be a cultural presentation of Hmong dancers. An individual could produce a show about local politics or you could see Amy Goodman’s Democracy Now on public-access TV. In short, locally produced, independent, and alternative video will have a home on the cable network.

The education channels will be used primarily by the schools for education and distant learning purposes. If you tune in to channel 96 you will see the beginning of the local education channel. Channel 96 is the forerunner to PEG. In an agreement reached earlier this year between Comcast and the City of Fresno, it was agreed to set up this channel. Right now, it is mostly broadcasting the Annenberg education channel. It is expected that local education and government programming will be on this channel soon.

The government channels will have the capacity to broadcast the complete City Council, Board of Supervisors, and planning commission meetings, and more. The government channels will be the community’s window into what is happening in government. There will likely be permanent video cameras in government spaces, which will be turned on when public meetings are taking place. Interviews with elected officials, city-sponsored events, and more will be available on this channel.

A community media center is where much of the programming for PEG channels is produced. It is also a place where residents can come to learn to use sophisticated computers and software and to learn basic media skills. Funding to operate such a community media center will come from the cable company as a part of the franchise agreement. Included will be video cameras, computers, editing equipment, studios, and training. Ideally, all of this will be provided to the community at no cost.

The Institutional Network or I-Net is a part of most franchise renewal agreements. An I-Net provides a high-speed connection between government, educational, and community entities. This connection can be used for accessing the Internet, providing two-way video, and point-of-origin TV production. The I-Net can establish locations throughout the community where live TV production can take place. Some examples would be to have an I-Net site at City Hall so we can see what is going on in local government; at a school so we can see musical or theatrical productions; or at a community center where a live cultural event could be shown throughout the community.

While the process is moving slowly, progress has been made. In October 2004 the Fresno City Council adopted an ordinance defining the minimum requirements for a new or renewed cable franchise agreement. This ordinance says the new agreement will include PEG access, an I-NET and it authorizes a Community Media Center. The ordinance, which replaces the agreement negotiated nearly 30 years ago is the foundation upon which the new franchise agreement will be built. Those actively involved in the process expect the new franchise agreement to include PEG channels, a community media center, and I-NET.

The community is already beginning to receive benefits receive benefits related to the impending contract negotiations with Comcast. Check out cable channel 96. This channel is being jointly run by the City of Fresno and several local educational institutions. Look for locally originated programming on channel 96 soon. Right now, in addition to the Fresno City Council meetings on Tuesday they are broadcasting a lot of programs from the Annenberg Educational Channel. Another change you might have noticed is that Comcast channel 14 has been recording and broadcasting more local events. Just before the elections they ran a number of electoral forums that gave viewers an opportunity to see local candidates as they discuss important issues affecting the community. This is an example of unfiltered and in depth coverage of local issues that will be expanded when PEG access comes to Fresno. But, with PEG access, there will be a much wider variety of opinion available, and Comcast will not determine the content.

Buske says that actual negotiations will start in 4 - 6 weeks. It is unclear how long the negotiations process will take, but it will probably be about one year before an agreement is reached. In the meantime, a board of conveners is being established. The board of conveners will be composed of community leaders representing all sectors of the community. This board will appoint the first members of a Board of Directors which will oversee a 501c3 nonprofit organization which will cablecast the programming on the PEG access channels, and manage the Community Media Center and I-NET.

To find out more about this issue go to: http://www.alliancecm.org/ or visit the Buske Group’s web site at www.buskegroup.com