S. 2257, An Act to Support Community Access Television.
BOSTON – Community Media Channels in Massachusetts are one step closer to reaching parity with other cable offerings today after the Senate voted in favor of S. 2257, An Act to Support Community Access Television. Sponsored by Sen. John Keenan, the bill provides local cable channels the ability to broadcast in high-definition and have individual shows and offerings listed on program guides.
The bill is supported by MassAccess, a membership-based advocacy group representative of community media organizations in Massachusetts. “We are grateful to the Senate for moving this legislation forward that will help preserve and protect our local cable centers in Massachusetts,” said Melinda Garfield, Executive Director of Westwood Media Center and MassAccess President. “In a world where media production has become global, the community media center has stayed true to its local roots…all while continuing to embrace emerging technology. This is what community media centers do.”
Local cable television channels, often called “PEG channels” to correspond with the mission of public, educational or government access, provide a valuable public service to the community. There are over 200 local access cable TV centers in Massachusetts, the highest concentration of media centers in the country.
Local Access TV is the last hyper-local outlet for citizens, providing access to municipal meetings and providing transparency in local government. Channels provide local notices and information for citizens and residents. Additionally, individual centers provide educational and media literacy training, while serving as community hubs and centers and a training ground for students who want to pursue careers in TV and film.
We encourage viewers to call their State Representative and ask for their continued support of Community Access Television.
-- Donald Cronin Production Manager Holliston Cable Access, Inc. 508-429-8979