Upstream Online - E-newsletter of Access SF - Cable Channel 29

==========================================================

Save Public, Education and Government Access TV Now! Access San Francisco and other PEG channels threatened by FCC hearings You can help by filing your concerns on-line today!

==========================================================

CONTACTS FOR THE MEDIA
- Sacramento:
Ron Cooper -Alliance for Community Media, Western Region Chair - 916-456-8600 X112

- San Francisco Bay Area:
Martin Anaya - Pacifica Community Television - 650-355-8001

SAVE PEG ACCESS TV ACTION ALERT!

Tell the FCC to Save Public Access TV! Deadline: Feb. 13th

February 13th is the deadline to make your voice heard!
Submit comments to the Federal communications Commission (FCC) - expressing your support for Public, Educational, Governmental (PEG) Access TV.

Tell your friends, family and community members to also submit comments to the FCC! It is easy to do on-line. See directions below.

==========================================================

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

- What is happening at the FCC?

The FCC has announced it is reconsidering its rule making on 'local franchising'. Local Franchising is the process that allows local cities including San Francisco to charge rent to large cable operators like Comcast and now telcos like SBC/AT&T and Verizon. This could have huge implications for Access TV as it is local franchise "rent" revenue that make public access TV possible. A good FCC ruling reflecting the public support for local franchising could influence Congressional bills pushed by the phone companies. We need supporters to tell the FCC that local franchising rules support PEG Access TV.

- Where to file?

The Alliance for Community Media has set up a web page so you can quickly and easily file your comments. The page contains simple how-to instructions. Cut and paste the following link in your web browser to file your public comments:

GO TO: http://accesssf.c.topica.com/maaetv8abn9SEcg85bYbafpNzr/

- What are the bills now in Washington about?

The telephone companies want to compete with the Cable TV companies in providing video-services to consumers, but they don't want to play by the same rules as the Cable TV Companies. They are seeking to avoid having to negotiate the local franchises that Cable TV companies now have. These local franchises ensure that channel space and resources are available for Community Access TV; and that companies don't skip service to low- income communities; and that they are responsive to customer complaints.

In Washington (and more than a dozen State capitols) the telephone companies are now pushing for legislation that could dismantle these local franchises. This would lead to all kinds of repercussions for the public - including ending Community Access TV, and silencing "electronic free speech".

You can play a crucial role in promoting media democracy and media justice by filing your comments in support of Community Access TV. Tell the FCC to support the local franchises that make PEG Access TV possible. Demand the phone companies play by the same rules as the cable companies, pay "rent" and serve the entire community. Let Washington know where you stand!

For more info on these bills: GO TO
http://accesssf.c.topica.com/maaetv8abn9Uycg85bYbafpNzr/

==========================================================

Remember the FINAL DEADLINE is Feb. 13th!

So do it NOW...

GO TO:
http://accesssf.c.topica.com/maaetv8abn9Uycg85bYbafpNzr/

==========================================================

Copyright 2006 - San Francisco Community Television Corporation, Inc. All Rights Reserved - Used by Permission

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed on this website are those of the individual members of Chicago Media Action who authored them, and not necessarily those of the entire membership of Chicago Media Action, nor of Chicago Media Action as an organization.

FAIR USE NOTICE: This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.