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This Newstip edited by Curtis Black
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312-369-7783
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CAN-TV Covers Telecom Reform
Newstip Date: 04-13-2006
Telecommunications reform legislation now under consideration in Congress could pose threats to public access cable across the country, according to local advocates - while the City of Chicago is concerned that proposed reforms could end requirements that cable companies serve all residents.
CAN-TV is presenting a half-hour program giving a basic overview of the Communications, Opportunity, Promotion and Enhancement (COPE) Act, which recently passed the U.S. House telecommunications subcommittee and is now under consideration by the commerce committee.
"Video Franchising - What's in it for the Public?" features a discussion between Anthony Riddle of the Alliance for Community Media, Joseph Bast of the Chicago-based Heartland Institute, and Ben Scott of Free Press, moderated by Mara Tapp. It will be broadcast Sunday, April 16 at 5 p.m. on CAN TV 19 and Saturday, April 29 at 9 p.m. on CAN TV 21.
One major provision of the legislation would allow telecommunications companies seeking to offer video services to bypass local franchises and operate under national franchises.
Barbara Popovic, executive director of CAN-TV, said the proposed national franchise does provide funding for local public access stations based on a percentage of gross revenues, but that could be less than existing local franchises provide in some cases. "We want to make sure that no harm is done to communities that have worked hard for these local benefits," she said.
CAN-TV provides video training, facilities, equipment, and time on five cable channels for Chicago residents and nonprofit groups.
The city is concerned that the COPE act could vacate Chicago's cable franchise agreements and would remove "build-out" requirements that all residents of a service area be served, said Bill McCaffrey of the Department of Consumer Services. It could open the possibility that some Chicago residents would lose cable services, he said.
Rep. Bobby Rush is co-sponsor of COPE, along with two Republicans, House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Commerce Committee chair Joe Barton of Texas. Rush was one of four Democrats on the telecommunications subcommittee who joined Republicans to defeat an amendment by ranking Democrats to prohibit video "redlining" by requiring providers to serve minority and rural communities.
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