Community Media Review, Vol. 18, No. 1, 1995

32 Pages·1995·18.3 MB·

6 ,
C O M M U N I T Y
I
1
MEDIA REVIEW
with the
THE CHANNEL THAT TAKES REQUESTS:
Lets viewers choose what they see.
Handles up to 999 topics of any length.
Prints reports of what viewers choose.
Gives documented proof of viewership.
Uses PC word processor files as input.
Fast, easy setup and maintenance.
Now in use in over 27 US. cities.
1
owner-operators say about
the Interactive Video Bulletin Board:
-
--
'I can watch it taking calls from my office, and know
that we're serving the community. The feedback helps
us understand our viewing audience's likes and
dislikes.'
-David Vogel. General Manager,
Community Television of Knoxville
'Since placing the system in service, we have seen a
community response that now exceeds 18,000 inquiries
per month. The Interactive Video Bulletin Board has
become an integral part of our community service
-
program'
Ian N. Wheeler. Executive Director.
Fairfax Cable Access Corporation
'Since installing the Interactive Video Bulletin Board,
we've gotten more interest and participation from non-
profits than we had in the last 10 years. It's less work.
more effective, and it's fun for viewers to use!'
-
Lynn Carillo-Cruz, Former Executive Director,
Quote. .. Unquote, Albuquerque
'It's the lowest-cost, highest-impact service we offer to
local non-profits. During September. ..p articipating
organizations reported that an average of 65% of their
calls resulted from viewership of the Interactive Video
Bulletin Board.'
-
Barbara Popovic, Executive Director,
Chicago Access Corporation
INTERACTIVE PUBLICATIONS
1651 N. DAYTON STREET, SUI7E306, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60614
312442-0884 FAX:[phone]
C
In this Issue
m
Community Communication
R Centers of the 21st Century
Volume 18. No. 1 Alliance for Community Media News
CMR EDITORIAL BOARD .........................................................................
Dirk Roiling, CHAIR connections 4
Mary Bennin Cardona, Bob Devine, Boston '95, Alliance Information Infrastructure &Newt's Notes
Barry Forbes, Uriel Gmnfeld, Jim Peters,
Deb Vinsel, Vel Wiiey
Community Communication Centers
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF THIS ISSUE
Carl Kucharski of the 21s t Century
COORDINATING EDITOR Community Communication Centers by Kari Peterson ....... 5
Jim Peters
An examination of the future of Access
NATIONAL OFFICE Ground Rush: Surviving the 21st Century by Barry
Barry Forbes, Executive Director Forbes .........................................................................................6
Kelly Matthews, Director of Member
Services What we must do today to ensure Access tomorrow
Access, Newt Gingrich, and Me by Evelyn Pine .................... 7
ALLIANCE for COMMUNITY
MEDIA An open letter to our new Speaker of the House
BOARD of DIRECTORS
Anthony Riddle, CHAIRPERSON MATV's Computer Resource Center by Rika Welsh ............ 8
Julie S. Omelchuch, Maiden Access Center 's leap into Public Access cyberspace
VICE CHAIRPERSON
Greg Vawier, SECRETARY Public Policy Report: The Media Center of Tomorrow by
Carl Kucharskii TREASURER Alan Bushong ............................................................................. 9
Marilyn ~ckerman,~laBnus hong, Sue
Diciple, Ann Flynn, Kathleen Staking claim to public space is a task we must tackle
Greenwood, Hap Haasch, James Burlington's Community Tech Center by Lauren-Glenn
Honrood, Paul Levalley, Sandra . .
Marroquin, Debbie Mason, Job Matusow, Davttzan ................................................................................... 10
Anne Mitchell, Kari Peterson, Nantz Old North End development begins in earnest
Rickard, Gladys Ro ers, Richard Turner,
.......
Deborah Viel, &a Welsh, Vel Wiley, Access: The Rediscovered Country by Carl Kucharski 1 1
Brian A. Wion What we can learnf rom yesterday's visionaries
FCAC Builds a Nationwide Coalition by Jim Peters .......... 12
Access America created tof und national Access to electronic
media
...........................
Looking Into the Future by Mike Reardon 13
Community Media Review [ISSN
Five Government Access leaders look into their crystal balls
1074-90041 is published bi-monthly by the
..................................
Alliance for Community Media, Inc. (for- VDT Rules Could Kill PEG Access 14
merly the National Federation of Local
Alliance National Office press release warns ofpotential
Cable Programmers) Subscri tions $25 a
year for six issues. Send subscriptions, catastrophe
memberships, address chan es, editorialand ..............................
advertising inquiries to the Alliance for Community Media 2045 by Dirk Koning 15
CommunitvMedia. 666 11th St. NW. Suite Fifty years from now. Public Access to electronic media isf lying
high
..................
Metropolitan Area Networks by May Cardona 16
Bulk orders for additional copies consid-
ered individually. Contact the national of- Boosting coax to its two-way potential
fice for information on rates and delivery. Founding a Community Network by Peter Miller ...............1 7
Copyright 1995 by the Alliance for Com- MetroBoston CWEISf unded by CPB
munity Media, Inc. (formerly the National
Federation of Local Cable Programmers).
Prior written permission of the Alliance for
Community Media required for all reprints
or usage. Cover illustration by Archie Miller.
Boston '95! We will also re-examine
As computer, telephone and communication methods such
television technologies as phone trees, fax trees,
converge, cable access offers bulletin board services,
models for democratic conference calls, teleconfer-
participation. Now is the time xneys; ana video proauc- ormation intrastruc- ences and satellite program
to help shape the new com- exhibitors, activists, e, so too will All Commit- distribution. By next summer
munication context, to ensure icators and students. tee members consider the best the Alliance will launch a
community input, media This year's theme is options for satisfying our own variety of new communication
literacy, and attention to mmunity Media: organization's communication services which will improve
public needs. Now is the time ... living in the Technology needs. our efficiency and ability to
to increase dialogue, visibility uolution. The All Committee will reach and involve broader
and participation in the To learn how you and/or survey the electronic commu- constituencies.
crafting of future tele- your organization can partici- nication landscape and make If you haven't already,
communication policy! pate in the conference, call the recommendations to the now's the time to look into
The four-day annual Alliance for Community board regarding the use of obtaining an electronic mail
International Conference Media at [phone]. various communication tools (e-mail) address. These are
and Trade Show of the and services which will most easily acquired through
Alliance for Community Alliance Information enhance the work of our commercial services (such as
Media, to be held in Boston, Infrastructure. organization. America Online,
Massachusetts on July 5 - Hold on to your steering The charge of the Compusewe, or many
...
8, 1995, brings together wheels the Alliance is getting committee is two-fold: 1) to others), or any variety of local
people from across the US ready tomerge onto the improve the distribution and gateways (universities,
and the world who work to highway! sharing of information to and community networks, etc.).
ensure community access to At its inaugural meeting, among our members, support- For those whoalready
telecommunication, including the 1994-95 Alliance Board ers and colleagues; and 2) to have e-mail accounts, andare
staff of cable access, media of Directors christened a improve internal communica- interested in participating on
arts and community comput- new committee, The Alli- tion of the organization. this committee, send a note to
ing centers; public officials ance Information Infra- Toward this end, the Kari Peterson, All Com-
responsible for tele- structure (All) Commit- committee willlook at such mittee Chairperson (e-mail:
communication policy and tee. As great minds ponder services as electronic mail, [email protected]&vis.edu).
...
regulation; communication the likes of the National listservers andnewsgoups. See Connections/Page 29
Now in our 18th Year!
Honoring the Best in
Local Cable Programming!
Sustaining Sponsor:
Cable World
I C A l l F O R E N T R I E S I
Presented by:
ALLIANCE
Entry Deadline: February 17,1995 FOR
For Information 8 Entry Forms:
Hometown Video Festival COMMUNITY
c/o The Buske Group
3001 J Street. Suite 201 MEDIA
Sacramento. CA 95816
[phone] Ensuring everyone's access to electronic media since 1976
4 CMR
T h e Future of Access
Community Communication Centers
by Kari Peterson of sources and two-way communication above services is not offered by one single
In troduction. It is a fact that the opportunities for all connected. For provider, except in the case of the
world of telecommunication has example, city governments can "upload" community network. Additionally,and
changed. It is also a fact that new meetingagendas, minutes, staff reports most importantly, community networks
communication tools have emerged. Is and documents to the network. All are public interest-driven nonprofit
there a new role for access centers toplay network subscribers can then read these organizations. They are run by local
in this expanding communication uni- documents "online" from their personal people who have a direct interest in
verse? computers. Cities can also facilitate providing the best possible local service.
There has been a lot of talk over the online permit processes or payments of Their missions are solidly rooted in
last five years or so, about howwe should water bills. The local soccer league can broadly serving and building their com-
all be convening our access television upload game schedules, or a master munities; not earninga profit, not selling
-
centers into community communication gardener can offer pruning advice. entertainment and not promoting 24-
centers (CCCs). This conversion or Dialogue can occur on every imaginable hour shopping. These qualities set
growth, at its best, represents tremen- subject between citizens and people can community networks apart from all the
dous opportunity for us, while at its directly communicate with elected other computer services on the market.
worst, seems to trigger great anxiety. officials from their homes. The local Having said all that, it must also be
What are the opportunities and why seize bookstore or food co-op said that community net-
them? How do we get there from here? can put their inventories works come in all shapes and
How do we convince our boards, cities, online or thechildren's M Ftw~ent~y sizes. They are very new to
cable operators and communities that theater can sell tickets the marketplace, are cropping
this is the way to go? How do we take to its events. The we've offered up in hundreds of communi-
advantage of new opportunities while community network can t e a c r ot he country and
struggling to maintain our current be viewed as a commu- as a come ina variety of models.
operations withalready limited re- nication infrastructure tool- p~~,,,,, We Can (Some community networks
-
sources? as fundamental to the are run by cities, for example,
Leaders among us have leapt forward workings of a commu- expand our some are run by educational
andapplied theirvisions of CCCs in nity as iny other basic institutions, some by libraries,
creative and different ways. Meanwhile, city service. toolboxto includea nd some are privately
the telecommunication landscape is one If the community other new tools" operated.) This article will
slippery slope -h ard to fully understand, network itself is linked focus on the nonprofit variety
impossible to predict and difficult in to the global Internet (which typically comprises a
which to finda niche. To say tele- through a gateway (or broad coalition of community
communication is an evolving industry is a node) it greatly enhances the capabilities interests) and will demonstrate the
gross understatement. With resources of the networkand offers its subscribers extraordinary value of community
already overtaxed and sorely limited, how an even greater scope of services. Meta- networks as tools in community building.
do access centers adapt to meet changing phorically, this is considereda It willalso show the commonalities
needs, affect positive communication community's on-ramp to the 'Informa- between community networks and access
evolution in their communities and, as tion Superhighway.'By offering this television and the ways these two move-
Tom Karwin said at the recent Far West Internet gateway, community network ments can come together.
Regional conference in Palo Alto, "grow subscribers can have access to global Two Movements with Similar
up?" electronic mailand many other Internet Missions. There is, indeed, a new
This article explores one possible next services. These services include data movement afoot. Known as community
step for access centers to take -t he retrieval from literally countless sources, networking, it is analogous to the com-
community network. search tools to scan those data bases, munity access television movement which
Community Networks. What is a "newsgroups" which offer online discus- began twenty years ago - same prin-
community network? A community sions on limitless subjects with people ciples, different media. The two move-
network (sometimes also calleda civic around the world, and more. ments share the same essential mission-
network or a Free-net @) is a commu- In sum, a community network can be to enhance and buildcommunities
nity-wide computer network that links viewed as generally offering two things to through better communication. While
the computers of citizens, institutions, its subscribers: community-wide infor- community communication and net-
organizations and businesses to one mation exchange, and access to the working are not new concepts, the use of
another through some kind of medium Internet. Community networks may new electronic tools to extend and
(usuallv ohone lines and modems. with "compete" with local bulletin board amplify communication is a recent
cable, wireless, ISDN and fiber tedmolo- services (BBSs) for the local information development. For twenty years, we've
gies all capable of serving as the network exchange, or may compete with commer- offered television as a tool. Now, we can
medium). It functions like a great big cial services (like America Online, expand our toolbox to include other new
community-based bulletin board service Compuserve, etc.) for the Internet link. tools. Collectively, these tools offer
providing information from a multitude But, generally, access to both of the See Community/Page '25. ..
CMR 5
Ground Rush
g the 2 1 s t Century
'
by Barry Forbes to supporting PEGaccess on their new /"'MRw, e must first survive the few
've climbed mountains. I've canoed video dial-tone services. They lobbied to naming years of this century and build
whitewater rivers. I've produced remove "public spacenf rom Senate bills. trong foundation for the next.
public access programming. I've still 1822, which would have allowed the First, we must fight for federaland
to engage in what many consider the telephone companies to provide video sate legislation that advances the
ultimate in danger and thrills:parachuting. services. They succeeded in forcing principles and practicalities of PEG
Avidadherents to this putative "sport" Senator Hollings (D-SC) to withdraw access. The Alliance has developeda
extol the ecstasy of free-fall, the sense of his Communications Act of 1994 from platform and specific legislative language
flying, and the gut-wrench of "ground thesenate's consideration because they which we must have enacted in the 104th
rush," that moment when you realize that felt that the bill Cong-r ess. Our strateg-i es and
the earthis rushing up to smack you in passed by the priorities will evolve as we
the face. Communications ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^B learn more about the key
...
But wait. The sense of flying and the Subcommittee did ,, most and their issues. But
panic of "ground rushn seem all too not sufficiently our efforts at the national
familia r... protect their inter- fundamentally, level must be supportedat
Free-fall Franchise Fees. Having ests. However, we musta cta nd the local level with grassroots
spent all of my professional fundraising Senator Packwood pressure (letters and calls), as
career in public television and radio, I (R-OR) is already at manage ourselves well as with financial support.
- -
once envied Public, Education and work drafting new as the valued, Second, we must
Government (PEG) access centers for le-g islation which will -ag gressively and creatively
their five to fifteen-year franchise fee be even more communit-y -wide develop new streams of
agreements. No on-air pledge drives. No .supportive of theBell institutions that renewable income. Many
expensive direct mail or telemarketing companies -a nd forward-looking PEG access
-
campaigns. No intrusive corporate dangerous to access. we are." centers have already hired
underwriting. PEG access centers were Second, the Bell professional fund-raisers and
-
flying high with a steady income -o r so I companies are are trying newways of
,
once thought. Public broadcasting at least confident that their generating income. The
has (for now) the safety net of federal newvideo services will take paying Alliance National Office is committed to
funding through the Corporation for customers away from local cable opera- publishing more fundraising manuals,
Public Broadcasting, various tors, who pay the franchise fees to covering more revenue approaches in our
fundraising parachutes, and even some support PEG access. According toa periodicals, offering more fundraising
revenue generator engines. Washington Post article on October workshops at the annual and regional
By andlarge, PEG access centers llth, 1994, Bell Atlantic President conference, and researching and advocat-
depend heavily on direct government and James Cullen and Chairman ing for revenue sources at the national
cable operator franchise fees. As pan of Raymond W. Smith "predict that their level
the information gathered for the company will take 50 percent of the Mid- Third, and most fundamentally, we
Alliance's Community Media Resource Atlantic region's cable televisionmarket must act and manage ourselves as the
Directory, we asked centers to indicate away from local cable operators within valued, community-wide institutions that
the sources of their revenues. Of those ie next five years." we are. We have earned and we deserve
that reported their income sources, 57% Third, I have no doubt that cable supportive federal and state legislation.
indicated that they received all of their perators will protest the "unfair compe- We have earned and we deserve funding
funding from local government andlor sion" with the RBOC's -and will fight from individuals, corporations and
cable franchise fees. Another 26% their franchise requirements. With the foundations.
generatedunder 25% of their revenues deregulatory moods of both Congress Flying High in the 21st Cen-
from other sources - for a total of 82% and the courts, cable companies havea tury. So let's continue to lookupward
who depend on franchise fees for 75% or good chance of winning their case of toward the type of access centers we
more for their funding. Flying-or free- proving that "franchise feesna re unwar- want to become in the 21st century. But I
...
fall ? -anted restrictions of free trade. hope that the gut-wrenching feeling of
Legislative Ground Rush. Fourth, have I mentioned that only "ground rush" willmotivate us all to
Perhaps I'm spending too much time 8% of PEG access centers have gener- onsure that we willsurvive until then.
lookin"e downward rather than upward at ted 25% or more of their income from As for m..e. -why bother with
the clouds and stars, but I'm definitely I =ourceso ther than franchise fees. .. ? irachuting ? I can experienceall the
experiencinga little queasiness for several Surviving the 21st Century. If irills and chills by just working on your
...
reasons... -re are to evolve into the kind of "Access shalf at the Alliance National Office
Firs~~t , the Regional Bell Operat- :enters of the 21st Century" that are Barry Forbes is Executive Director
.
ing Companies (RBOC's) are opposed glowingly depicted on these pages of i/,'the ~jiancefo r Community Media.
i
6 CMR
A Quick Note
Access, Newt Gingrich, and Me
by Evelyn Pine I hope,Newt, you'lldo everything af people to make meaningful use of
earNewt: you possibly can to ensure weall get good aublic, education and government access
I heard you onNationalPublic educations 'cause with your new scenario :hanuels since the 1970s. Talk to us,
- Radio before the election and we're all really going to need it. What Newt. We know a hell of a lot more abo~it
,. .-I comments really wokeme up. you're suggesting isn't just about hard- yourvision for the future than you do!
You said that if you became Speaker ware and software. It's I know your time's limited, Mr.
of the House, you would ensure that about a highly educated speaker. You've got a constitution to
and interested elector- amend, a capital gains tax to cut, and No
ate. It's about a Compromise to tattoo on your forehead.
citizen who knows Nonetheless, here are my top ten things
Committee are put there's a bill pending the cable access community has to teach
online on the policy makers about citizens' access to
Internet where any the development of the tele-
Americancan access knows about the communication networks of tomorrow:
them from his com- Internet and the 1. There's more to television than
David Letterman, Sixty Minutes,
Home Shopping Network and Beavis
and Buttbed. The big boys may think
superhighway, Mr. the key is entertainment, entertainment,
Speaker! Your comments entertainment, but I knowbetter. I've
seen hearing-impaired folks make local
news shows and seniors produce drama.
theNational Information Kids have gotten homework help over
Infrastructure. someone cable and parents have had live passionate
See, when a guy like you discussions about crime, educationand
makes a comment like that I government.
feel a little bit lieD orothy in Oz It's even about somebody 2. Access activists have redefined
sashaying down that brick who knows what the Conference quality. Quality doesn't just mean
information superhighway looking for Committee is -and has the time to pay technique, slick camera moves and high
home. Because you made it sound magical attention. production values. Community access
and for everybody and the font of And while we're yakking about it programming has taught us that quality
democracy. As if all I had to do was click Newt, is there a two-way flow of commu- goes far beyond technique to include
my heels and I'd be at home in a virtual nication with the Conference Commit- content, pertinence, community involve-
community as long as I paid no attention tee? 'Cause there's no point in a demo- ment and impact.
tot he man behind the curtain. (Hey, cratic society (that's smalld democratic 3. Appropriate technology is crucial.
that's not you back there, is it, Newt?) -don't get nervous!) to get a Confer- And I'm not being hippy dippy here. I'm
I mean, don't think I'm a Neander- ence Committee report unless we can talking impact and economic realities no
thal but there is no Internet access at my respond to it. I know you're planning to matter what the big boys say. Cable, the
public library. In fact my public library is cut a third of all congressional staffers. phone companies, movie studios, and the
only open from 1-7Monday through Will there still be somebody there to computer industry think they've seen the
Thursday. answer my e-mail? future and it'sTV. But access folks have
And you do have aplan for how But despite all my worries, Newt, I'm learned television cannot be all things to
we're going to support our libraries, don't no counterculture, eco-Al Gore, neo- all people. We've tried to encourage
you. Newt? I know you want tax cuts and Clinton liberal, because when I heard people to make television, but, frankly,
service cuts and an elegantly balanced your words, my immediate response was sometimes they're better off tacking up a
budget, but will there be somebody to one of glee! You see, if you want access to poster, leading a study group, startinga
help me get online, to help me navigate? telecommunication for everybody, then computer bulletin board or even standing
A librarian,perhaps, those shockabsorb- access to telecommunication has become on a soapbox.Thatls "why I'm no longer
ers of our culture, the front line of as American as TV Guide. Access is on betting ona particular technology. As
defense against those who want to the American agenda! cable and the phone company converge,
remove books from shelves or privatize Truth be told. Newt, there are a we want universal service and access to
government information for "which we've bunch of us who already know tons about both.
already paid You're there for them, access to telecommunication. CableTV 4. Participation is different than
aren't you Newt? activists have been teaching a broad range See AccessIPage 27'...
CMR 7
Malden Access Television
MATV's Computer Resource Center
bv Rika Welsh reality. These "tips" are based on our didn't have hard drives. We discovered
October 17, 1994, Maiden experience of developing the Computer that, although there are some (limited)
I
access Television took a big Resource Center at MATV. uses for these sorts of computers, they
step forward and opened a Laying the groundwork. It is a would never be able to meet the require-
Computer Resource Center to the ldidea to plan for something like this a ments for what we had envisioned for the
Malden public. The goal of the Computer ir before an access station actually Computer Resource Center.
,
Resource Center is to provide the to open a community computer 4) Find non-profit sources of
communitywith access industry standard software.
to computers and Again, there are many
training, as well as an on- sources currently available.
ramp to the Internet. Research the philanthropic
The Center is programs of the large
staffed by computer- computer companies. In our
experiencedvolunteers case, we used the United
who offer training in Way Gifts-In-Kind
basic computer skills and Program.
inusing the Internet. For 5) Look for a place that
a nominal fee ($10 would be willing to donatean
annual membership or $1 Internet connection. This
drop-in fee), community can be a local Internet
members can access and provider, or a school or
use IBM or Macintosh university. MATV already
computers, receive pays for an account with a
training in word process- commercial server and we
ing, desktop publishing, were able to convince them
spreadsheets and paint Photo courtesy MATV that donating a free account
Residents of the Maiden, Massachusetts area now have
programs, and access the for the Computer Resource
affordable access to the 'InformationS uperhighway;' thanks
'information superhigh- Center was a good commu-
to theefforts of MATV volunteersandstaff.
wav." nity service.
' This is MATV's first step towards 1 --iter. The planning stage involves a great 6) Pinpoint volunteers within the
creating a Community Media Center 11 of information gathering. Here are access facility who will be able to help,
whichexpands the definition of public ne places to begin research: either through their time or their techni-
access to include the new information and 1) Find local groups who canmentor cal expertise. You should know that you
communication technologies. In so doing, me growing effort. In our case, it was the don't need to know everything about all
we are an invaluable telecom- Boston Computer Society, the this new technology -y ou just need to
munications resource to a community Somerville Community Computer knowwho to ask. To this end, it is good
badly in need of resources. Center, and Playing to Win, a to begin early on finding trusted sources
How it all began. Much has networking organization that seeks to of information, and these can usually be
already been said about the rapidly provide equitable access to computers found within the membership at the
developing technological infrastructure d related technology. access facility. In my experience, I found
and the merging of computers, television, 2) Start investigating sources of that there are certain "dormant" mem-
and telephone lines. Those of us who funding and grants for this project - bers who become members because they
work in public access have for several especially a seed grant for purchasing have an interest in technology, but they
years now recognized that, in order to computers. There are many funding aren't really interested in television/video.
retain a foothold in this new technological sources currently available for this type This is where the Internet connection
environment, we must expand our of effort. We received a $5000 seed grant comes in. The thing that drew our
concept of "public access" and address from a local bank trust fund. volunteers to this project, I think, was the
the need for the public to have access to 3) Find out about possible donations chance to discover the Internet. Those
these new tools and the training essential of equipment, but beware of acceptinga who ultimately volunteered to staff the
to their use. But perhaps not enough has computer gift you might not be able to Computer Resource Center at MATV
been said about exactly how to go about use. Again, this tip comes from experi- were people who werevery computer
doing that. ence. Originally we accepteda donation literate, but wanted to expand their
Below1 have outlined, step-by-step, of 30 "dumb terminalsn or computers ^"-owledgeo f this vast electronic net-
how an access center can make that goal a that had been hooked to a mainframe and See MATV'dPage 28-
8 CMR
Public Policy Report
The Media Center of Tomorrow
by Alan Bushong balances, and cannot afford to relegate decentralizing and democratizing media
ou can stand on the roof of the massive populations to information are hard fought-look at the twenty-plus
tallest building in most cable ghettos. -year history of PE G access on cable-and
systems and, if the air is clear, see Key role of media center: only arenot guaranteedin the future. Al-
the entire service area. Most cable an Alliance partnership with mem- though the cases of democracy, justice
regulation and media center policies are bers and constituents can succeed. and equal opportunity are noble, most
based on this "local" nature of cable Media centers are the key in organizing corporate media speech flooding Ameri-
systems, a nature which is rapidly communities for democratic communica- can households is dominated by words
changing. As the National Informa- tion. Neither the Alliance and phrases likeUmarket
tion Infrastructure (Nil) emerges, nor the entire coalition of economy," "crush the
cable systems will either merge with or national public interest ''Commercial c~mpetitiona,n~d =posi-
develop into much larger telecommunica- groups can create a positive media will not tioning." Public discourse
tion systems which connect distant legislative environment. and empowerment will bring
communities, cross state lines and cross Success for the Alliance bite the hand far greater cohesiveness,
national borders. Indeed, many cable requires a partnership with participation and a sense of
companies are already "clusteringn members and community that feeds it- community than marketing
franchise areas and combining head-ends media constituents in not with talk geared at 90-day
to save expenses. As centers plan for the definingand securing dividend strategies.
future, these changes innature of public space through work tremendous Media centers hold the
telecommunication systems will have with Congress. 1995 may profits at key tools for public dis-
impact at least as great as changes in provide landmark legisla- course; an organized
media equipment technology. What will tion in opening up compe- stake." :ommunity is the key for
--
not change is the basic human need to tition between the Baby -)oliticals uccess. Passionate
'speak for yourself." Bells, long distance tele- movements of the 1960's-
Providing public space is good, phone companies, cable companies and ilrights, equal rights for women,anti-
affordable policy. In its cable legisla- computer data services. The telecommu- Vietnam War-paved the path for PEG
tion of the past ten years, Congress has nicationindustry is America's number access on cable. Anotherpowerful
repeatedly stated that public discourse one growth industry, and there is a ton of movement is required to bring the
serves the common good, and communi- money at stake as each giant seeks benefits of the Information Age to our
ties have been empowered to require legislation which favors them by protect- communities.
compensation for use of public rights of ing their current territory while enabling 2. Teaching media literacy.
way. Over twenty years of community them to take the business of others. Media centers can arm our youth with
TV on cable proves the affordability. Valuable media center services the ability to decode media. Many
Voluntary commitments to public space for the NIT and the future. Each centers area already incorporating critical,
and funding fail at the first hint of a year, media and computer equipment activeviewing as a pan of training. Kids
financial pinch. The question facing becomes smaller, cheaper and easier to that selectively watch television are likely
Congress is whether our nation has the use. Emerging digital technology poten- to watch less and thoughtfully challenge
resolve to compel the number one growth tially accelerates this process by replacing more assumptions. Those who learn to
industry-telecommunication-to make an A/B roll editing system with a split- communicate through community media
a small commitment to our communities screen laptop with multiple CD ROM will beeven better preparedconsumcrs.
in return for using public airwaves and drives. Lquipmcnt, once the primarv Commercial media will not bite thc
rights of way. service offered by media centers, may hand that feeds it-not with tremendous
Staking claim to public space. soon be everywhere. profits at stake. Commercial media
The top priority of the Alliance is to However, the legacy of the bombard the viewer with a flood of one-
stake claim to public space~otherwise camcorder has been anything but way messages delivered by "beautiful
the discussion of media centers of the democratized television. Although one- peoplen which challenge self-esteem and
future is moot. Any system which quarter of American households rcport- self-respect. Since television has replaced
requires the same fees for public dis- edly have camcorders, television is still the peer group as the dominant influence
course as of commercial customers is as dominated by a few powerful commercial on kids, the danger is especially great for
inherently exclusive as commercial interests. Community media centers can impressionable,vulnerabley oung people.
television is today. Public space and help change this picture by offering Commercial media solutions are to buy
funding are necessary or the Nil will affordable and unique services with happiness whether through $.I25 tennis
simply form a new set of media elites and inclusive, nondiscriminatorypolicies. shoes, $75 blue jeans, unnecessary
another tiny class of highly successful Important aspects include: cosmetics or $35,000 cars. Media literacy
entrepreneurs. In the information age, 1. Advocating democratic skills help level the playing field for young
our society cannot afford to judge the communication. If media centers fail people.
value of citizenship by credit card to do this, no one will. Ail gains in See Public Policy/Page 19. ..
CMR 9
Old North End
Burlington's Community Tech Center
c
by Lauren-Glenn Davitian office (CEDO) included our preliminary community needs assessment;
hittenden Community plans in a major proposal to the U.S. -be run by neighborhood trainees
Television (CCTV) was Department of Housing and Urban witha community-based
established more than a decade Development (HUD) requesting funds Steering Committee;
ago to for an Enterprise Community Zone -be anchored by micro-business
fight for access to Vermont's largest in Burlington's Old North End. development and job training
cable system so that citizens could The Old North End Community and placement initiatives;
exercise their first Technology Center -incorporate community institu-
amendment right to is a maior part of the tions, such as the library branch,
free speech and so that City of ~urlington's literacy brigade, after-school
we could present "The federal Enterprise Community program, teen outpost, public
aIter~tiv&tothe government and private development initiative. access television facility and civic
mainstream version of (It represents $500,000 computer network;
reality manufactured foundations are turning
of a$3 million grant -be built uponaffordable, easy to
by local and national serious attention to application to be use technology and tele-
television producers. awarded to more than communication facilities for a
During the past economic and 50 communities across range of individual and commu-
ten years, we have the Unitedstates). This nity uses;
educational
brought three access initiative focuses on the -support facilities with training and
channels (public, op- p- ortunities for the infrastructure, eco- community-based applications;
educational and nomic development and - utilize appropriite neighborhood
government) on-line in 'have-nots,' including socialneeds of the city's infrastructure;
Chittendencounty the development of job low-income neighbor- -aggregate demand for new infra-
(Vermont's largest) hoods. A number of the structure capacity (where
training, community
and assisted with the strategies describe, or necessary);
development of 17 computing centers, are appropriate to, a -measure the impact of the Center
PEGaccess channels community technology on employment and education
throughout the state. civic computing development initiative. patterns.
With the rapid networks, and public These initiatives include The development of the Community
deployment of digital micro-business develop- Technology Center has begun in earnest
technologies, the access sites." ment, job training, and depends upon a broad base of
spectre of phone adult, teen and interest and sumon from service
companies in the video children's education. providers and citizens. To bring these
business and the Many of these propos- interests together to build this new
merging of voice, dataand videoservices, als are organized around different types community- struc.ture we have initiated
it became clear that our struggle for of community centers which could easily the followinz stem:
access must extend to all teli: collaborate to direct the benefits of the' - Steering Committee~Working
communication carriers in the state. 'Information Age" and "Electronic Group: bring interested parties
To this end, CCTV has proposed Highway" to our neighbors. together, establish working
(before the Vermont Legislatureand These proposals are timely. The committees: outreach, technical
state regulators) that apercentage of all federal government and private founda- support, training, organizational
telecom carriers gross revenues should be tions are turning serious attention to development and fundraising;
set aside to support public tele- economic and educational opportunities - Community Education
communication facilities (dime pay for the "have-nots," including the Program: how needs drive
phones, public fax facilities, and public development of job training, community technology, the risks and
access video facilities) and that aportion computing centers, civic computing benefits of the "Information
of the bandwidth should be set aside to networks, and public access sites. Highway", models of citizen and
transmit this digital information. This Community Technology community applications;
In order to make a clear and convinc- Center will: - Community Training/Em-
ing case, we believe that we should be able -serve adults, teens and children ployment Program: hire
to demonstrate what we mean when we withim the neighborhood unemployed neighborhood
say "public telecommunications facility". (walking distance); residents to implement inven-
Fortunately, ten years otprogressivecity - serve the low-income, New tory and needs assessment,
government has led city officials to American and refugee popula- develop pilot programs,
understand and suppoi our mission. tion; strengthen community linkages,
Staff members in the City's Commu- - be built upon a well researched broaden community education
nity and Economic Development inventory of infrastructure and See Old North End/Page 22. ..
10 CMR