Independent Video Producers on San Antonio Public Access TV

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Change of Heart



Short student film produced by Mary Harder, aka the Indie Godmother. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Donato Movie Trailer



Trailer for the 2009 independent film Donato, King of the Vampire Drags. Produced by Glorybridge Productions, directed by Mary Harder, aka the Indie Godmother. Filmed on location in San Antonio TX.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

PEG Channels’ New Best Friend

by Bunnie Riedel, Riedel Communications -- Multichannel News, December 5, 2009

We’ve all had that experience where someone suddenly becomes your “best pal” because they want something from you or can use your friendship in some way. For most of us, that kind of sidling up is excruciatingly transparent and usually disgusting.

In a publicized memo (see “Letter to FCC Outlines Deal Commitments,” Multichannel.com, Dec. 3), Comcast highlighted its commitment to localism, the public interest and PEG channels.

“Comcast also has demonstrated its commitment to local programming, including sports and public affairs, and in providing support for public, educational, and government (PEG) access programming. We want to use the combined resources of NBC and Comcast to strengthen localism.”

“With respect to PEG channels, we will not migrate PEG channels to digital delivery on any Comcast cable system until the system has converted to all digital distribution (i.e., until all analog channels have been eliminated), or until a community otherwise agrees to digital PEG channels, whichever comes first.

“To enhance localism and strengthen educational and governmental access programming, we will also develop a platform to host PEG content On Demand and On Demand Online within three years of closing.”

Over the years that I have worked with the PEG community I can attest to the fact that Comcast has been less than stellar when it comes to PEG access television. Take Philadelphia, for instance, corporate headquarters of Comcast. Public access advocates fought for 25 years to get what was in the franchise agreement, a public-access channel and funding. Comcast was at City Hall every step of the way blocking the effort. I was told by one council office that Comcast had shown the council videos of the Klu Klux Klan and of some naked woman in New York that solicits on the air. Apparently Comcast had told council that’s what they’d get if they had public-access television. By the way, the naked lady wasn’t on public access, she was buying time on Local Origination.

Click here to read entire story.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Friday, November 6, 2009

FV3 Video Meek Acoustic Thoughts




FV3 video show airs at 11:30pm on Mondays and Wed. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV. Recorded at the White Rabbit in San Antonio.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Friday, October 23, 2009

Friday, October 9, 2009

Community Access Preservation Act Introduced

The Alliance for Community Media applauds Wisconsin Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin for introducing the Community Access Preservation (CAP) Act of 2009 (PDF) to address the challenges faced by public, education, and government (PEG) TV channels and community access television stations.

Nationwide, many community access television stations have been forced to shut down or severely limit their operations as a result of a combination of state law changes and FCC decisions, which cable television operators are claiming permit them to eliminate funding and important in-kind support they have traditionally provided to local community access television channels.

In addition, several video providers have begun to carry PEG channels differently than commercial channels, broadcasting them in reduced resolution and in a way that makes it impossible for subscribers to select or record them like other channels. In some cases, customers must now pay extra fees in order to receive PEG channels, which were intended by Congress to be available to everyone in the community. In other cases, operators are refusing to pass through PEG closed captioning unless a special request is made.

This treatment undervalues PEG channels and their viewers. "Local access channels bring unique voices, perspectives, and programming to television," said Congresswoman Baldwin. "The nature of television programming is changing, as are the methods in which that programming is delivered. These changes should not come at the expense of the diversity and vibrancy of local voices," Baldwin said. "Our office has asked the FCC to address some of these issues immediately. However, while we continue to urge the FCC to act, the FCC cannot address all the immediate problems, and it is important for Congress to do so."

PEG channels connect residents with their local government in much the same way C-SPAN connects people to activities in Congress. Local school districts operate channels to reach the community with school board meetings and forums, interviews, lectures, and sporting events not otherwise seen on television. Additionally, community public access stations provide a place where residents can learn video production, check out equipment, and create their own programs. According to a survey conducted by the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors, religious programming represents 20-40% of the content appearing on local PEG channels.

While the mistreatment of PEG is being challenged in the courts and the FCC, many communities and PEG stations are not in a position to protect their interests effectively.

The Community Access Preservation (CAP) Act addresses four immediate issues facing PEG (summary). The CAP Act would:

Allow PEG fees to be used for any PEG-related purpose Require PEG channels to be carried in the same manner as local broadcast channels Require the FCC to study the effect state video franchise laws have had on PEG, and require operators in states that adopted statewide franchising to provide support equal to the greater of the support required under the state law, or the support historically provided for PEG, and Make cable television-related laws and regulations applicable to all landline video providers.

"Decisions at the state and federal level have combined to create a crisis for PEG. With the CAP Act, Rep. Baldwin effectively addresses the most immediate problems and opens the door to the future by preserving support for PEG while the FCC conducts its study. This bill is critical to us. Wisconsin's rich community access heritage is on the line," said Mary Cardona, Executive
Director of the Wisconsin Association of PEG Channels.

"Community Media has a four decade history of connecting communities with their governments, schools, churches, friends and neighbors. The future existence of community media is being threatened against the intent of Congress for localism and diversity of voices in
media. With the CAP Act, Rep. Baldwin addresses immediate needs to preserve and protect the important role PEG channels play in advancing democratic ideals through community uses of media," said Matt Schuster, Chair, Alliance for Community Media.

Baldwin's legislation is supported by the Alliance for Community Media (public policy platform) and the National Association of Telecommunication Officers and Advisors. There are a number of steps community media advocates can take. They can call/fax their congressman and senators to let them know to support his act. Set up meetings face to face with your local congressman/senators to let them know who this bill will help your community. Check the alliancecm.org for more info on how to help.


Thursday, October 1, 2009

The Young Gunz, Allright With Me

The Austin band The Young Gunz Performs in Austin TX at the famous Poodle Dog Lounge. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV

Monday, September 14, 2009

Kid Bethel on the 411 Show

Kid Bethel from Cincinnati is featured on the 411 Show during the month of September 2009. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV

Sunday, August 30, 2009

The Naysayers at the Healthcare Townhall

Naysayers of Healthcare Coverage speak at the Healthcare Townhall held in San Antonio Texas August 28, 2009 by U.S. Congressman Ciro Rodriguez. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV.

Proponents at the Healthcare Townhall

Proponents of Healthcare Coverage speak at the Healthcare Townhall held in San Antonio Texas August 28, 2009 by U.S. Congressman Ciro Rodriguez. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV.

Racism at the Healthcare Townhalls

Hints of racism at the Healthcare Townhalls. Footage from the Townhall held in San Antonio Texas August 28, 2009 by U.S. Congressman Ciro Rodriguez.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

The New San Antonio Riverwalk Extension



Rita Heck from the Green Connection Show tours the San Antonio Riverwalk and speaks with Steven Schauer with the San Antonio River Authority about the new Riverwalk extension project near Brooklyn St. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Cesar Millan in San Antonio Part 3



The Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan, came to San Antonio during
Dog Awareness week to bring attention to unwanted animals
that are killed at the pound and promote spaying neutering.
In this question and answer session, he talks to an owner
about her Boston Terrier Ojitos.
Part 3 of 3. 1 hours special will air on Sundays at 6:30pm for
3 weeks starting 8-2-09 and on the 411 Show on Thursdays
6:30pm, Sat 12:30pm.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Cesar Millan in San Antonio Part 2



The Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan, came to San Antonio during
Dog Awareness week to bring attention to unwanted animals
that are killed at the pound and promote spaying neutering.
He talks about working with Oprah Winfrey and how banning
pitbulls does not solve the problem. Part 2 of 3.

Español: El Encantador de Perros Cesar Millan, da una platica
en San Antonio TX, USA sobre la esterlización de perros para
reducir los perros matados por el perrero. Parte 2 de 3.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Cesar Millan in San Antonio Part 1




The Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan, came to San Antonio during
Dog Awareness week to bring attention to unwanted animals
that are killed at the pound and promote spaying neutering.
He talks about his work in Australia and how dog psychology
does not work on humans. Part 1 of 3. Show will air on
Sundays at 6:30pm, starting July 26, and during August on
the 411 Show, Thurs 8:30pm and Sat 12:30pm.

Español: El Encantador de Perros Cesar Millan, da una platica
en San Antonio TX, USA sobre la esterlización de perros para
reducir los perros matados por el perrero.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Cesar Millan in San Antonio




The Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan visits San Antonio Texas for Dog Awareness week to bring attention to the plight of stray dogs being killed by the pound and promote spaying neutering. He gave a talk for about 1 hour with a private reception afterwards. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV. Produced by 411 Productions.

Espanol - El Encatador de Perros, Cesar Millan, visita a San Antonio Texas para dar una platica sobre sterilizado los para evitar la matanza de miles de perros al ano que no tienen dueno. Producido por 411 Productions para el canal de aceso publico en San Antonio TX, USA.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Green Connection at Fanick Gardens Pt 3


Rita Heck from the Green Connection Show speaks to Mark Fanick
from Fanick Gardens about thelarge inventory of Crepe Myrtle Trees
they have and hear his expertise.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Michael Jackson Smooth Criminal, Raul Riojas Body Language Dance

Raul Riojas from Body Language Dance gives this performance at the Jump-Start Performance Party 2007. He dances to Michael Jackson, Smooth Criminal. Raul is a self-taught dancer who now teaches hip hop dance in San Antonio. In memory of Michael Jackson who passed away June 25, 2009. Produced by 411 Productions.

Expanol - Bailador de hip-hop Raul Riojas de Body Language Dance baila a la cancion Smooth Criminal de Michael Jackson en un show de Jump-Start Performance en 2007. En memoria de Michael Jackson quein murio junio 25, 2009. Producido por 411 Productions.



Friday, June 26, 2009

Michael Jackson's Billie Jean, Raul Riojas Body Language Dance

Raul Riojas from Body Language Dance gives this superb performance at the Jumpstart Performance Party 2007. He dances to Michael Jackson Billie Jean to an excited audience. Raul is a self-taught dancer and currently teaches hip hop dance in San Antonio Texas. In memory of Michael, who passed away June 25. 2009.

Produced by 411 Productions


Bailador de hip-hop Raul Riojas de Body Language Dance baila a la cancion Billy Jean de Michael Jackson en un show de Jump-Start Performance en 2007. En memoria de Michael que murio junio 25, 2009. Producido por 411 Productions.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Green Connection at Fanick Gardens Pt 2

Rita Heck from the Green Connection Show speaks with Mark Fanick from Fanick Garden Center in San Antonio TX. Fanick Gardens is the oldest original nursery in San Antonio. Mark talks about the pros and cons of Bamboo Trees and the new varieties out. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV. Show airs on Tuesdays 7:30pm and Wed 3:30pm.

Friday, June 19, 2009

House Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing on Public Access TV Sept 2008




Discussion on the damages caused to Public Access TV Channels and the state-wide cable franchising issue. Video Provided by the Alliance for Community Media.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Green Connection at Fanick Gardens Pt 1


Rita Heck from the Green Connection Show speaks with Mark Fanick from Fanick Garden Center in San Antonio TX. Fanick Gardens is the oldest original nursery in San Antonio. Mark talks about adding color to your garden. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV. Show airs on Tuesdays 7:30pm and Wed 3:30pm.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Roland's Cucumber Salad - Springtime65 Show




Roland shows us how to make a cool cucumber salad on his Springtime65 Show. Saturdays 10:30pm. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Texas Master Gardener Advice

Danielle from the 411 Show speaks to Pat Brown, with the Texas Master Gardeners program at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens. She gives advice on gardening in South Texas and for drought conditions. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Fiesta 2009 Pooch Parade Waltz

Scenes from Fiesta 2009 in San Antonio Texas. The Pooch Parade is the pet friendly event where dogs get to march in their own parade with Fiesta costumes and colors. Espanol, el desfile para los perros en desfrases desde Fiesta en San Antonio Texas. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV.

Fiesta 2009 Cactus Show

Scenes from Fiesta 2009 in San Antonio Texas. The San Antonio cactus & Xerophyte
Society Show showcases rare and hard to find cacti.  Espanol, el show annual de nopal desde Fiesta en San Antonio Texas. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Fiesta 2009 Pooch Parade

Scenes from Fiesta 2009 in San Antonio Texas. The Pooch Parade is the pet friendly event where dogs get to march in their own parade. Danielle from the 411 Show talks to dog lovers at the event. Espanol, el desfile para los perros desdes Fiesta en San Antonio Texas. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV.

Fiesta 2009 Mariachi Festival

Scenes from Fiesta 2009 in San Antonio Texas. The Mariachi Festival features young performers from High Schools performing Mariachi also known as Ranchera Music. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV.

Fiesta Flambeau 2009




From the Springtime65 Show (Saturdays 10:30pm). Check out the other Fiesta Flambeau Parade and River Parade videos on his Youtube Channel. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Fiesta Charreada 2009

Scenes from San Antonio Fiesta 2009 at the Day in Old Mexico and Charreada by the Asociacion de Charros de San Antonio. This clip was for San Antonio Public access TV. Produced by 411 Productions.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Jimmy James Montage



Montage of San Antonio's own Jimmy James for the Springtime65 Show, Saturdays 10:30pm, Ch 20 Time Warner and Grande Ch 19.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Fire Poi Dancing at Luminaria 2009

The performance group Brothers of the Flame perform fire poi dancing at the 2009 Luminaria Arts festival in San Antonio Texas. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV, the 411 Show. Espanol: el grupo, Brothers of the Flame (Hermanos de la llama) demuestran un baile de fuego en el festival de Luminaria en San Antonio Texas.


Thursday, April 2, 2009

Send Comments to the FCC for Community TV

Tell the FCC:
Support Local TV

Local media is in crisis. Towns and cities across America are losing their commercial news oulets, while pink slips are being handed to the reporters who once covered our communities. We cannot afford to lose any more local media.

Community television can help fill the void left by a collapsing media system. But the most prevalent form -- local public access stations (or PEG channels) -- is under attack by the likes of AT&T and Comcast, which are trying to bury community stations on their networks and make them difficult to find.

You Can Help: Protect Community Television

Free Press has joined forces with local governments, community media producers and other organizations that believe local media play a vital role in our democracy. We're working together to urge the FCC to stop efforts by cable and phone giants to squash public access TV, but we need your help.

The deadline to comment at the FCC expires in less than 36 hours. Please make sure that the commission hears from the public about the importance of local media.

Click here to file your comment

Community stations foster democratic participation in local government by airing town and city council meetings. They are also an outlet for local independent producers and everyday citizens who want to make their own television shows.

For many, public access television is an antidote to media consolidation. We must work together to protect and promote these vital community services.

Onward,

Candace Clement
Campaign Coordinator
Free Press
http://www.freepress.net/

1. To learn more and read our filing to the FCC, visit:http://www.freepress.net/policy/public_media/public_access_tv

2. All comments filed to the FCC are considered a matter of public record. Your comments will be publicly accessible at the FCC Web site. The FCC does not accept comments from outside the United States.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Krayolas at Luminaria 2009 Alamo Dragway

The Texas Rock group The Krayolas perform their piece Alamo Dragway at the 2009 Luminaria Arts Festival in San Antonio, Texas. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV, Perspective Prisms Show, Sundays 8:30am, 5:30pm. Production assistance provided by Springtime65 Productions. El grupo de rock Los Krayolas tocan en el festival de artes Luminaria en San Antonio Texas, USA.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Performers at Luminaria 2009

Danielle from the 411 Show talks to some performers and spectators at the 2009 Luminaria Arts Festival in San Antonio, Texas. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV.


Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Artists at Luminaria 2009

Danielle from the 411 Show speaks to some artists who displayed their works at the 2009 Luminaria Event in San Antonio Texas. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV.


Monday, March 16, 2009

Karilagan Philippine Dance Co

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Karilagan Philippine Dance Company performs at Luminaria 2009 in San Antonio. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV. Filmed for the Springtime65 Show.

Luminaria in San Antonio 2009



Roland from the Springtime65 Show speaks to artist Dale Jenssen at the Luminaria Festival in San Antonio. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV.

Luminaria in San Antonio 2009



Roland from the Springtime65 Show (Sat, 10:30pm, Digital Ch20 on Time Warner, Ch 19 on Grande Cable) speaks to husband and wife team artists Bryson Brooks and Holly Hein at the 2009 Luminaria arts festival in San Antonio. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV.

Luminaria 2009



Roland from the Springtime65 Show speaks to artist Joe Lopez about his Chicano Art.
This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV.

Luminaria 2009



Roland from the Springtime65 Show speaks to artist Elsa Lopez Mathews at Luminaria 2009. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Indian Dance No. 2 at Luminaria

Arathi School of Indian Dance performs at the 2009 Luminaria Event in San Antonio Texas. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV.


Indian Dance No. 1 at Luminaria

Arathi School of Indian Dance performs at the 2009 Luminaria Event in San Antonio Texas. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV.


Thursday, March 5, 2009

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Paul Rusesabagina from Hotel Rwanda

Paul Rusesabagina speaks at the 2009 Martin Luther King Day Celebration in San Antonio Texas January 2009. He was the hotel manager made famous in the movie Hotel Rwanda. He has now moved to San Antonio. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV,


Sunday, February 8, 2009

Danza Indigena, Indigenous dance




The Teokalli Azteca Dance group dances at the forum held on the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo in January 2009. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV, Indians are not Americans Show and The Mestizo Experience Show. El grupo de baile indigena Teokalli Azteca baila en le foro de el trato de Guadalupe Hidalgo.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Valentine Strawberries



Roland from the Springtime65 Show, Saturdays 10:30pm shows us how to make delicious chocolate covered strawberries. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

AT&T's U-verse service gives short shrift to public-access programming

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan joins investigation of its practices
David Greising Chicago Tribune
February 3, 2009
AT&T has cutting-edge technology and a beefy balance sheet, but the company's handling of community programming channels in Illinois and other states is putting a big black blot on its sky-blue logo.

At the heart of a growing controversy are questions about whether AT&T's U-verse service, a marvel of modern technology that pipes 320 channels of television programming over phone lines, violates state law and federal rules requiring fair treatment of community programming. The fight over U-verse, still in its early stages, shows what happens when corporate power runs up against entrenched community opposition.

Federal and state laws require AT&T to give community programming similar access to what the other channels on its U-verse service get. AT&T believes it does so, but advocates for public access make a compelling case when they argue that the communications giant falls short.

Anyone who has used U-verse, as I have, knows that public, educational and government programming is consigned to a digital ghetto that makes public programming hard to use. Viewers must go to the dreaded Channel 99, and from there navigate toward the towns they want. While U-verse subscribers can digitally record up to four programs at once, they cannot digitally record from Channel 99. They can't even plan their viewing, because the digital guide available for all the other U-verse channels is not available for public, educational and government programming.
None of this is a big deal for the vast majority who are satisfied with their U-verse service so long as they get "American Idol" or Fox News. Let Man keep fighting Wild, stop Hell's Kitchen from freezing over, and these people are happy.

Then there are the wonkish types whom fair-access laws are designed to serve. They want to see their neighbors argue at school board meetings. They yearn to watch the town council give tax breaks to the local developer. They might need a warning about hazardous weather or helpful information about AIDS prevention.

In the year since it launched U-verse in Illinois, AT&T has scrambled to convince everyone that the service complies with state and federal laws. The company spokesman I talked to kept boasting that U-verse offers "enhancements" to normal cable fare—enabling viewers to see town hall meetings from towns they don't even live in, for example.

Now community groups and pesky reporters aren't the only ones asking questions. Illinois Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan has launched an investigation of the complaints. And the Federal Communications Commission is reviewing a petition, issued last week, in which a coalition of thousands of towns, schools and community groups demanded a ruling declaring AT&T in violation of rules about fair treatment of public programming.

Some communities have taken matters into their own hands. Glenview, Mt. Prospect, Geneva, Aurora, Hoffman Estates, Wheaton and a handful more have refused to beam programming to U-verse at all. My town, Evanston, is one holdout.

"For every municipality that says, 'OK, we're going to put up with this,' AT&T can say, 'See, they're satisfied. This service is great,' " said Howard Kleinstein, cable production coordinator for Mt. Prospect. "It allows them to continue their bad behavior."

Public TV may seem a minor concern at a time of a global economic crisis, when Illinois' new governor is sorting out the state's unique troubles, when citizens can barely keep track of which Obama Cabinet members paid all their taxes and which did not.

But public programming is vital. And any company that can deliver 320 commercial channels over a phone line can get community programming to subscribers on equal footing.

That was the commitment AT&T made when it launched U-verse in Illinois and other states. That's the promise AT&T should keep.

dgreising@tribune.com

Monday, February 2, 2009

MEDIA GROUPS SAY AT&T DISCRIMINATES AGAINST LOCAL CHANNELS

WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 30, 2009) - Community media groups joined with a nationwide coalition of municipalities and regional organizations today in filing a Petition for Declaratory Ruling with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) charging that telecom giant AT&T discriminates against local public channels with its U-verse cable TV system.
"Relegating local, non-profit media channels to second-class status is a disservice to the public and violates both the spirit and letter of the law," said Helen Soule, Executive Director of the Alliance for Community Media (ACM), which represents local Public, Educational and Government (PEG) channels nationwide.
"AT&T's treatment of PEG channels is inferior in virtually every way that matters to a viewer, preventing the public's ability to easily access safety alerts, health information, town hall meetings, educational and other local programming," added Soule.
In states from California to Connecticut, wherever AT&T is providing video programming, its U-Verse system removes local PEG channels from the standard lineup, dumping dozens of channels into a generic "Channel 99" - stripping away individual channel identities and depriving those channels of basic functions viewers have come to expect.
AT&T subscribers cannot simply tune in the village board meeting or homework help program. Viewers can't switch between commercial and PEG channels, set a DVR to record a PEG program, or depend on getting timely local emergency alerts or closed captioned programming.
In an independent report released September 2008, the Congressional Research Service agreed that, "AT&T has chosen not to make PEG programming available to subscribers in the same fashion that it makes commercial programming available."
"AT&T, the company that promotes competition and choice, is giving the public no choice when it comes to accessing local information that isn't readily available on other channels," said Rob Brading, President of the Alliance for Communications Democracy, a national group that defends the public's right to speak via cable television.
The filing follows a sternly worded bi-partisan letter from Congress to the FCC in September saying that changes in the cable TV industry should not lead to second-class status for PEG channels.
"PEG television is essential to our communities as an outlet for free speech, local information and opinions, and emergency communications," said the Sept. 30, 2008, letter signed by Rep. Jose Serrano (D-NY), the Chair of the House Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, ranking member Rep. Ralph Regula (R-Ohio) and Appropriations Chair David R. Obey (D-WI.)
Today's Petition asks the FCC to rule that AT&T's PEG product unlawfully discriminates against PEG programming in violation of the 1984 Cable Act and Commission rulings and policies.
Groups filing the claim represent community-based PEG centers, local governments and national associations from around the country dedicated to assuring that PEG channels and services are accessible to local residents, neighborhood groups, high schools, colleges, churches, civic groups and nonprofit organizations.
They include the City of Raleigh, North Carolina; the Sacramento, California, Cable Commission; the Illinois Chapter of the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) and public access centers such as Chicago Access Network Television (CAN TV) and Manhattan Neighborhood Network.
The Petition and background information can be found at: http://www.alliancecm.org

________________________________________
The Alliance for Community Media is a national membership organization representing more than 3,000 PEG access centers across the nation. Local PEG programmers produce 20,000 hours of new programs per week, and serve more than 250,000 organizations annually through the efforts of an estimated 1.2 million volunteers.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Martin Luther King Marchers 2009

The 411 Show goes to the 2009 Martin Luther King march in San Antonio TX. San Antonio hosts the largest march in the country in honor of Dr. King. Marchers honored Dr. King and new President Barack Obama. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV.


Al Bronstein on Martin Luther King Part 4

Part 4 Final. Civil Rights Al Bronstein recalls his work bailing out Dr. Martin Luther King in the 1960s and describes his experiences during Freedom Summer. He was in San Antonio for the Martin Luther King Know why you are Marching Series. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV, Perspective Prisms Show.


Monday, January 19, 2009

Al Bronstein on Martin Luther King Part 3

Part 3. Civil Rights Al Bronstein recalls his work bailing out Dr. Martin Luther King in the 1960s and describes his experiences during Freedom Summer. He was in San Antonio for the Martin Luther King Know why you are Marching Series. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV, Perspective Prisms Show.


Al Bronstein on Martin Luther King Part 2

Part 2. Civil Rights Al Bronstein recalls his work bailing out Dr. Martin Luther King in the 1960s and describes his experiences during Freedom Summer. He was in San Antonio for the Martin Luther King Know why you are Marching Series. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV, Perspective Prisms Show. Sundays 8:30am, 5:30pm.


Al Bronstein on Martin Luther King

Civil Rights Al Bronstein recalls his work bailing out Dr. Martin Luther King in the 1960s and describes his experiences during Freedom Summer. He was in San Antonio for the Martin Luther King Know why you are Marching Series. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV, Perspective Prisms Show, Sundays 8:30am, 5:30pm.


Sunday, January 18, 2009

A Perfect Dance Ministry

This Gospel Praise dance group performs at the 2009 Martin Luther King Celebration, Know why you are Marching series. This clip as for San Antonio Public Access TV. Perspective Prisms Show, Sundays 8:30am, and 5:30pm.


A New and Old New Year’s Eve

Thoughts from the young and the old on New Years Eve 2009. Filmed in San Antonio Texas at the Inn on the Riverwalk. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV.


Friday, January 9, 2009

Los Angeles reeling from loss of Public Access Channels, Studios

Los Angeles continues to go thru what San Antonio went thru 3 years ago. Hopefully they can fight back. 

By Ron Cooper, Access Sacramento: LA Public Access Producers Make Second Appeal to Attorney General

Please go the link below and leave your comments and words of encouragement. Forward to others interested in open government and the public's right to free speech. Keep in mind the following:

Duplicity -- The LA City Council blames the State Legislature for DIVCA. Fabian Nunez and Lloyd Levine are both Los Angeles political leaders, well known to all of Southern CA. As leaders of the 2006 State Assembly, Nunez and Levine took the AT&T language, millions of dollars in campaign money, and co-authored DIVCA insisting DIVCA would not be discriminatory to LA/CA. people of color and lower income households. In fact, DIVCA has eliminated Spanish as a second language (SAP), hundreds of hours of other-than-English programming, permitted AT&T and others to "cherry-pick" lucrative neighborhoods for cable service, and closed down production studios and channels serving the many Angelenos without local access to electronic media, facilities and training. Cable rates have not decreased and infrastructure promised by AT&T is yet to be constructed.

Deceit -- The LA City Council made no serious attempt to (1) inform LA residents of the impending Time Warner shutdown and made no attempt to publicly investigate alternative scenarios, (2) The Council continues to use the financial crunch as the rationale for closure even though the City continues to collect $25 million per year in cable television franchise fees and millions more in Utility taxes exclusively from cable ser vices, (3) The City will soon collect another $5 million (an additional 1% permitted under DIVCA) exclusively for PEG related expenses. (4) With Public Access eliminated (the four channels are designated "Educational and Government Access only"), these funds will go exclusively to Government Access programming providing additional and well funded face time for local elected officials and complete editorial control, effectively silencing their local rivals, critics and pundits.

 

Anti-democratic -- The U.S. Constitution protects the public's right to speak from the chilling effect and outright censorship of government officials. The orchestrated way in which DIVCA was rushed through the CA legislature by Nunez and Levine in return for millions in campaign donations from AT&T, the negative impact on the voices of LA residents, the loss of public resources without serious efforts by local government to "serve and protect" its citizens, the financial gain to be achieved for LA government, the direction of public funds to serve at the exclusive pleasure of elected officials, and the cynical manipulation and deceit of the public by local leadership stands out as a striking example of censorship by government and violation of Los Angeles citizen's Constitutional rights.

This is abuse of power on a massive scale -- the Big Lie, Los Angeles Water and Power revisited, and an insult to all who believe in democratic ideals, due process, transparency of government, and free speech.

Please read and respond to the link below..... thank you  

Ron Cooper, Executive Director

Access Sacramento

4623 T Street

Sacramento, CA. 95819

(916) 456-8600 #112

www.AccessSacramento.org

http://savepublicaccess.wordpress.com/2009/01/07/attorney-general-2nd-request/

 

Saturday, January 3, 2009

New Year's Eve on the Riverwalk

Roland from the Springtime65 Show talks with Johanna and Scott Kiltoff, the Inn Keepers at the Inn on the Riverwalk at their New Year's Eve Party. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV.