In Support of the Voicebox of the Community

Community access television is close to our hearts here at MOA for obvious reasons. It's been a forum through which we've offered people little-known music and the opportunity to speak anonymously about anything from the silly to the mundane to the important for many years, without direction or agenda (which generally results in more silliness than important stuff, but MOA is rarely mundane :)). Other people use the venue with more intent, seeking to pass along a message, or to promote their skills and abilities, but the core principle is what matters in the long run: *Anyone* can utilize public cable access. *Anyone* can promote whatever it is that's near and dear to them. *Anyone* can speak their piece. Many prefer to keep their opinions and talents to themselves or promote them through other mediums. Some have no piece to speak in any given moment. Public access television is still worth caring about, because one day you may find you want to reach that audience, and because every medium through which people share themselves and others is worth preserving whether it's our style or not. Many public access stations also carry local government channels, and in the process offer a unique access between politicians and the public both in the studio and through their shows. TVCTV is very good public access. The people who run it are extremely supportive of the community voice in all it's incarnations, and they've got the best equipment public TV money can buy. I appreciate their service, and I hope you do, too. Even if this doesn't affect you directly (you're outside this area or you don't use or watch cable access), it does affect you indirectly. Every step backward in open communication is a step toward division and oppression. Of course, you may disagree, and if so I invite you to send your opposing views to these public officials as well, but I hope we can garner some support along the way. We appreciate your time and thoughtful attention to this issue.

 

Greetings TVCTV Producers and Supporters ~ Thank you to those who previously sent their comments/concerns regarding the Video Service Act, formerly HB32. The bill's sponsor, Qwest pulled the bill the day before it was scheduled before the House State Affairs Committee and have resubmitted it as HB156. The intent of the bill is still the same with the same consequences for public access television. It is now scheduled for a hearing this Thursday morning the 24th before the House State Affairs Committee. Below and attached is a form letter you may use to let your voice be heard in support of public access community television in opposing HB156. It is important that the committee members hear from you (their contact information is below the letter and also attached).
Your help is greatly appreciated!

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February ____, 2011

Dear Representative __________________________,

Thank you for your service and an opportunity to express my concerns regarding HB156, Idaho Video Service Act. The current franchise agreement between the video service provider and the City of Boise has been working well to the benefit of the City of Boise and Treasure Valley residents. Municipalities would lose substantial local revenue plus control of broadcasting opportunities by changing the municipal locus of control to a “one-size-fits all” state level of franchising authority. HB156 unnecessarily adds a level of bureaucracy to an already effective and efficient process. 

I support public access community television and see it as an important asset to the people in Idaho’s communities. If HB156 is passed, Idaho Video Service Act public access community television would lose federally mandated funding and may be forced to shut down. 

Public access community television provides ordinary citizens access to the airwaves, video equipment and training in order to express their point of view. The locally originated television programs aired on public access community television engages the community in a free exchange of ideas and information thereby, promotes community involvement and an informed citizenry.

It also provides access to Boise City Council meetings for citizens unable to attend, a critical avenue of inter-communication between local public servants and their constituents.

As written, HB156 adversely affects funding and broadcasting capacity for public access community television. For more than 10 years, Treasure Valley Community Television, TVCTV has been on the air 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

My understanding of the advances in digital technology is limited. However, I realize the importance of involving all interested parties in negotiating solutions. In this case, public access community television was not involved in the formation of this bill. You need to let all interested parties be involved in the process.

I respectfully urge you to reject HB156 by voting “NO”. 

Thank you again for your service and your consideration of my concerns.

Sincerely,

Representative Thomas Loertscher (R) - Chair tloertscher@house.idaho.gov
Representative Brent Crane (R) - Vice Chair bcrane@house.idaho.gov
Representative Eric Anderson (R) eanderson@house.idaho.gov
Representative John Stevenson (R) jstevenson@house.idaho.gov
Representative Max Black (R) mblack@house.idaho.gov
Representative Ken Andrus (R) kandrus@house.idaho.gov
Representative Carlos Bilbao (R) cbilbao@house.idaho.gov
Representative Lynn Luker (R) lluker@house.idaho.gov
Representative Joe Palmer (R) jpalmer@house.idaho.gov
Representative Erik Simpson (R) esimpson@house.idaho.gov
Representative Jim Guthrie (R) jguthrie@house.idaho.gov
Representative Frank Henderson (R) fhenderson@house.idaho.gov
Representative Janice McGeachin (R) jmcgeachin@house.idaho.gov
Representative Kathleen Sims (R) ksims@house.idaho.gov
Representative Pat Takasugi (R) ptakasugi@house.idaho.gov - (filling in for Rep. Takasugi) Gayle Batt (R) gbatt@house.idaho.gov 

Representative Elaine Smith (D) esmith@house.idaho.gov
Representative Phylis King (D) pking@house.idaho.gov
Representative Elfreda Higgins (D) ehiggins@house.idaho.gov
Representative Cherie Buckner-Webb (D) cbucknerwebb@house.idaho.gov

-- 
Alex McNish
Executive Director 
Treasure Valley Community Television
6225 West Overland Road
Boise, Idaho 83709
208.343.1100 phone
208.323.8447 fax

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