Chicago Media Action is a longtime supporter of CAN TV, Chicago's fleet of public access cable television channels. And CAN TV is in the middle of contract negotiations with each of Chicago's cable companies, and it turns out that RCN, which has not been friendly to CAN TV in the past, is once again behaving badly. Here's a post, with a link to a petition that we strongly encourage you to sign.

CAN TV gives our communities a voice in television. The Committee for Media Access has been fighting to ensure that the public does not come last in the current City re-franchising of cable companies. But after the expiration of RCN's regular franchise in June, RCN has provided no funding for the public's channels. In fact, RCN has been operating without a city cable franchise since September 30th.

It is unacceptable that RCN has not completed its new funding agreement with CAN TV. The City of Chicago should take immediate action to enforce RCN's public obligations and to ensure that the new franchise sets a high standard for public benefits by all cable companies.

We urge you to sign our petition calling on the City of Chicago to hold open community hearings for public input on the enforcement of cable company obligations and the future of CAN TV.

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