Community Media Review, Vol. 22, No. 4, Winter 1999

32 Pages·1999·20.4 MB·

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OPENERS
Alliance National Board listing 2
The Scientific Art of Politics, Bunnie Riedel 3
Alliance to Mark Media Democracy Week 4
Political Community Relies on Stories, Rob Brading 5
POWER OF THE PEOPLE
About this Issue, Patricia Garlinghouse 7
Machines Are Color Blind, Dirk Koning 8
A Philadelphia Story, George McCollough & Inja Coates 9
Yank!, Tom Bishop 12
The Battle for 'Free Media' in France, Jeffrey Hansel1 13
The Secret to Our Success, Paul LeValley 14
Become Media Active and A Champion
for Diversity, Richard Turner 16
Mayans Fight for Free Expression, Patricia Moore 18
Maryland Citizen Task Force Protects PEG, Lucille Harrigan 19
South Africa's Struggle for Community Media, Karen Thorne 20
Learning Lessons: Building Technology for
the Public Sector, Laurie Cirivello 21
The Case for Community Channels, Paul Congo 22
Basic Principles: Maintaining the Foundation of PEG
Access in a Changing World, Sue Buske 23
Community Lite, Fred Johnson 24
Radio Resistance, Michael Eisenmenger 26
Suit Filed on Behalf of Pacifica Listeners, Carol Spooner 27
Cover photo courtesy of Paper Tiger
As the journal of the Alliance for Community Media, Community Media Review shall support
the Alliance mission by providing: a comprehensive overview ofpast, present and future issues
critical to the Allianceand its membership; vigorous and thoughtful debate on those issues;
and a venue for members and like-mindedgroups to present issues critical to the Alliance.
Ken Snider Northwest Chair Serena Mann Equal Opportunity Chair
' Multnomah Community Television General Manager
Rob Brading Chair,At Large 26000 SE Stark St.
Flagship Channel and Television Services
Executive Director, I
Gresham, OR 97030 0121 Tawes Fine Arts Bldg.
Multnomah Community Television Voice: 503.491.7636,x325 I Fax: [phone] University of Maryland
26000 SE Stark St., Gresham, OR 97030 email~ : k~ [email protected] College Park, MD 20742
Voice: 503.491.7636, x318 1 Fax: [phone]
I David Hawkswnrth Midwest Chair Voice: 301.405.3610 1 Fax: [phone]
email: [email protected]
Executive Director, email: [email protected]
Ric Hayes Vice Chair, At Large
Community Access Television of Salina Frank Clark
Director of Cable Operations, 4lOW. Ash St. City Hall
MiamiValley Cable Council
Salina, KS 67401 801 Plum St., Room 28
1195 E. Alex-Bell Road, Cente~lleO, H 45459 Voice: 785.823.2500 / Fax: [phone] Cincinnati, OH 45202
Voice: 937.438.8887~30257 Fax: [phone] email: [email protected] Voice: 513.352.5307 7 Fax: [phone]
email: [email protected]
Laurie CiriveUo Western States Chair email: [email protected]
Karen Toering Secretary, At-Large Executive Director,
Executive Director Santa Rosa Community Media Access Center
SCAN - Seattle Cable Access Network
1075 Mendocino Ave.
1125 N. 98th Street Santa Rosa, CA 95402
Seattle, WA 98103 Voice: 707.569.8785 7 Fax: [phone]
Voice: 206.522.4758 1 Fax: [phone] email: [email protected]
email: [email protected]
Kevin Reynolds Iteasurer,At-Large
5520 North Bloomfield Rd. Eitan Kushner At-Large
Canandaigua, NY 14424 29 Leah Goldberg
Voice: 716.394.3028 Danya Haifa, Israel 34987
email: [email protected] Voice: 972.4.8251521
email: [email protected]
Erik Mollberg Central States Chair,
Chair of Chairs John Donovan
Access Fort Wavne 35 Newell Rd., Auburndale, MA 02466
Voice: 617.661.6900 xl23 I Fax: [phone]
email: [email protected]
email: [email protected] Steve Portriede
Greg Vawter Southeast Chair Alien County Public Library
Hillsborough Community TV 900Webster St.
PO Box 1110,24th Floor Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270
Tampa, FL 33601 Voice: 219.421.1205 1 Fax: [phone]
Voice: 813.276.2681 I Fax: [phone] email: [email protected]
email: [email protected] Mid Lee Board Development Chair
Patricia Garlinghouse Southwest Chair, 'Olelo: The Corporation
Information Services Chair for Community Television
Houston MediaSource 1122 Mapunapuna St.
3900 Milam, Houston, TX 78767 Honolulu, HI 96819
Voice: 713.524.7700, xl3 1 Fax: [phone] Voice: 808.834.0007, xl31 / Fax: [phone]
email: [email protected] email: [email protected]
John A. Rocco Mid-Atlantic Chair Harry Haasch
DATV Community Television Network
280 Leo St., Dayton, OH 45404 425 S. Main, Suite LL 114
Voice: 937.223.5311 1 Fax: [phone] Ann Arbor, MI 48104
email: [email protected] Voice: 734.994.1833 7 Fax: [phone]
email: [email protected]
Debra Rogers Conference Planning Chair
Executive Director,
Falmouth Community Television, FCTV13
James Horwood Legal Affairs Appointee
310 Ditlingham Ave.,
Attorney-at-Law,
Falmouth, MA 02540
Spiegel&M cDiannid
Voice: 508.457.0800 7 Fax: 508.457.160d
1350 NewYork Ave, NW, Suite 1100
em& [email protected]
Washington, DC 20005-4798
Voice: 202.879.4002 I Fax: [phone]
email: [email protected]
From the Executive Directoi
The Scientific Art of Politics
by Bunnie Riedel
Executive Director, ..o rganizing is 95 percent "grunt
Alliance for Community Media workand only five percent glamour. It
It'd be terrific if you could just have a
is database maintenance, photo copying,
great idea and instantly it would be
implemented. But it takes a certain envelope stuffing, bulk-rate mailing,
amount of negotiation and compromise
meeting attendance, etc. that makes the
to get others to "buy in" to your great idea.
Sometimes getting the support of others difference between buildinga movement
may also require "marketing and hype."
or just howling; in the wind.
Think not? Remember the last time you
tried to get your friends to the movies and --
how long it took to agree on which movie constituents get. Have these decision For years, I have told various staff that
you would see? Did you try to persuade makers on as often as you can. The more organising is 95 percent "grunt work" and
them by citing terrific reviews, the direc- you interact, the better your relationship only five percent glamour. It is database
tor's credits or the actors' capabilities? Did will be. Again, this takes time and effort. maintenance, photo copying, envelope
you do what you could to make sure that Commit to constant education. Each stuffing, bulk-rate mailing, meeting atten-
your movie was the one chosen?W ere you of us would love to imagine that our dance, etc. that makes the difference
disappointed when it wasn't?Well friend, burning issues are also the burning issues between building a movement or just
you were lobbying. of others. That is simply not true. One of howling in the wind. If you can stand the
Most of us understand how to lobby the biggest mistakes I've seen grassroots arduous miles between here and there, you
our friends for the movie of our choice, activists make is to assume that a deci- will receive the reward of cheering fans at
but when it comes to lobbying decision sion maker was fully informed about the finish line (maybe even a trophy with
makers on issues that are important to us, their issue. Not only is that false, it is your name on it if you're lucky).
we feel shy, inexperienced or out of our insulting. There are dozens of issues fac- Politics is an art and it is a science.
league. By employing the same political ing decision makers every day, yours is Politics frequently demands artistic cre-
strategies we use in every part of our per- just one of them. If you can approach a ativity in the problem solvingprocess and
sonal and professional lives, we can affect decision maker with the attitude that it is sometimes it demands sizzle and pizazz.
the outcome of issues in real and tangible your job to provide them with the infor- The science of politics demands the con-
ways. mation they need to do their job, you will sistent application of basic principles over
The following tips are important to become a valuable ally. Educating your a sustained period of time, the goal is to
remember whether you are working on a decision makers about your issues is an gain critical mass and when you drop peb-
single event (say a bill or a city council ongoing, constant process and it takes bles long enough, an avalanche in your
action) or along range political strategy: commitment and patience to do it right. favor results.
Relationships are crucial. Decision It's a marathon, not a sprint. There Understanding that political decisions
makers at all levels are human beings, are times when you will need to "sprint" are rarely haphazard but instead are the
whether they are your county council because something has just happened to result of somebody, somewhere, working
members or your federal senator. In order threaten PEG. But, by and large, it is a these principles may not only give youan
to get them to pay attention to your con- marathon that you are engaged in. It is all advantage, but may sustain you when the
cerns, you must build a positive relation- the boring miles of road that lay before going gets tough. There are few political
ship of some sort. Relationships take time you that really count, not the last 50 goals that cannot be achieved. The vari-
and effort. People who work or volunteer yards. This gets back to relationship ables in politics have more to do with time,
in access are uniquely situated to building building and the education. Anybody can resources or issue sustainability. And even
positive relationships with decision mak- sprint by themselves, but you can't do a these variables can be overcome.
ers. Like everyone, decision makers love marathon without an extensive network Knowing this can give you confidence
to be on TV. Appearing on television of support. That takes planning and dedi- to go after what your access center needs
increases their visibility and importance cation, it takes outreach to the communi- and wants. Just as in the example given at
in the community. Getting decision mak- ty and the galvanizing of stakeholders. the start about getting your group of
ers into your centers for a television inter- The political stories I hear which are friends to go to the movie you've chosen.
view lets them personalize who you are most successful are those that involve They may not pick your movie this time
and what you represent and the next time plenty of groups, organizations and iudi- out, but if you will keep offering them
you visit their office,t hey will know your viduals who are given some ownership of options, keep giving them good informa-
issue is community media. Being in the the access center in one way or another. tion about your movie, they will go eventu-
media allows you to have more frequent Creating that community ownership ally with your choice.
contact with decision makers than most takes time. Politics is no different.
MB3
Alliance to Mark Media Democracy Week
The Alliance for Community on media democracy.
Media has designated March A Get buttons, bumper
19-25,2000, as Media Demo- stickers, etc. made and pass
cracyweek. We hope access them out to the community.
centers around the country will A Hold an event to kick off
join with us and reach out to Media Democracy Week Try a
their communities through vari- rally or a bike-a-thon or a wine
ous media activities to educate and cheese night.
and advocate on behalf of A Have your producers
media democracy. include the subject of media
Following is a list of a few democracy in their shows.
things you can do. Of course, honor your center with a certifi- A Show the 10-minute
you are perfectly welcome to cate or award. Honor your cable Campaign for Media Democracy
come up with your own ideas operator with a certificate or tape on your channel. (Available
based on your knowledge of award. Congratulate the cable at cost for $5 from the Alliance
your community and what you operator on their contribution office.)
think will work! to "media democracy." A Do person-on-the-street
A Have your city or county A Offer to do "media litera- interviews on the subject.
council or cable commission or cy" training to local schools. Remember. .. this is a week
state legislature pass a resolu- A Offer to speak to local for you to do what you think te bmrd member
tion proclaiming March 19-25, groupsÑman local groups look works in your community. And, ma Mann (University of Mary
2000, as Media Democracy for speakers for their meetings, it's a week to brine" attention to lamI ) makes the case for media
Week and honoring your facility let them know you are available. all the good work you do every- dena ocracy with FCC Chairman
or PEG access. A Write a letter to the editor day. Wal, Icl a( inmfer Keenncnea irnd Aattl aNnAtaIO, AG'eso arngniau..
A Circulate the Petition for
Media Democracy to the follow-
ing groups:
Service Clubs and
Organizations, Religious
Institutions, AARP, VFW, League
ofWomenVoters, etc; Ethnic
Organizations, Disabilities
Rights Groups, Unions,
Chambers of Commerce, Gay
and Lesbian Organizations,
Women's Rights Groups,
Political Groups, Consumers'
Groups, Business Clubs,
Sororities and Fraternities,
Student Groups, etc.
A Think of all those groups
in your community that you
currently work with and seek
out those that you want to do
outreach to. The petition and
the brochure are great conver-
sation starters.
A Get a press release out to
the community. Do a PSA at
your access center that you can
send to your local broadcasters
(Wand radio). Take out an ad
in the local paper. Get posters
put up on bus stops and buses,
taxi cabs, etc. i ~. .
A Interview Y~~~~~~~ of& 1 Community Media Review encoura,w letters to the edicor Letters must include the author's name
From the Alliance Chair
-
Political Community Relies on Stories
by Rob Brading
Most of us were lucky enough, fortu- If community media is going to
nate enough, to grow up hearing stories
?ontinue to serve our communities, we
from parents, relatives and friends, hav-
ing stories read to us, and learning to must discover and fight for electronic
read stories. For many of us, stories told green spaces in these new media. Our
and retold are the strongest and warmest
greatest challenge is to create a living
memories of childhood. Those stories,
the stories we heard, the ones we learned green space where personal stories
to tell, the ones we tell today, helped form
thrive, where technology serves, and
us as human beings and helped shape
our lives. where we can pursue personal
Political community relies on stories
and political development.
as well. Politics aren't simply about com-
peting policy prescriptions. Politics -- -
would be less messy, a much simpler, New technologies don't merely Internet. The increasing commercializa-
tidier, straightforward enterprise if they change how we communicate with one tion of the Internet, the incipient efforts
were. But policy analysis, by itself, isn't another. They also change the needs of to control content, the full-scale argu-
enough. The stories we tell, the stories we our communities. If community media is ments over who should have access via
believe, create our political and cultural going to continue to serve our communi- cable and telephone company wires to
beliefs, and they help us to make sense of ties, we must discover and fight for elec- high-speed Internet access, and long-
our lives. tronic green spaces in these new media. term strategic positioning by companies
Healthy political community depends Our greatest challenge is to create a liv- to corner as much advertising revenue as
on people making sense of their lives and ing green space where personal stories possible, all point in the same direction
their communities. One way we do that is thrive, where technology serves, and -commercialization with little, if any,
through stories, stories that help us to where we can pursue personal and polit- public service or public space required.
understand not just our individual places ical develo~ment. Without a different public policy mind
and conditions, but that interpret the We hear a lot of talk these days about set, how will this technology become a
character and purpose of our community. the digital divide. Mostly the talk is about thriving public electronic green space
For more than three decades, com- people who will have access to technolo- when every other communications
munity media activists have been creat- gy and those who won't and how that medium has become the province of
ing, preserving, and nurturing public lack of access to technology will create a commerce?
electronic green space by helping people second-class citizenry. But the digital Republican (that's a small r) politics
tell their stories, giving them tools which divide is about more than access to requires public spaces. Whether it's the
have allowed them to develop and grow information or education on the Internet fields where people gathered for the
as human beings and to narticioate in or e-commerce. Lincoln-Douglas debates, New England
our society and culture by telling their There's another divide in the making. town meetings, African American
stories about the character and purposes That's the one between democracy and churches during the civil rights move-
of their community. technology. Some folks say that the ment, or our local access channels, we
It used to be that telling our stories telecommunications/digital revolution require, democracy requires, places
didn't require anything more than a hefty will revolutionize our political system, where we gather to interpret and argue
voice and a soap box in Hyde Park or an that our citizenry will be reinvigorated about our condition, cultivate solidarity
open meadow or a meeting hall. The because of access to the free-for-all arena and engage one another. Our challenge is
reach of one-to-many telecommunica- of the Internet. Authors from the techni- not only to maintain the status quo but
tions technology was limited, but access cally savvy, such as Harold Rheingold to also to create new ways for people to
to it was easy, and using it was simple. the politically savvy such as President participate, to create new opportunities
Since then, technology has made it both Clinton's former adivsor Richard Morris, for involvement, and to create new pub-
easier and more difficult to tell our sto- have written books and articles claiming lic electronic green space.
ries. The reach of one-to-many commu- that the Internet will bring a new, golden
Rob Brading is chairman of the Alliance
nication is far greater, but technical political age of citizen participation.
for Community Media and executive direc-
demands have created a long and some- Frankly, they haven't been paying tor ofMultnomah Community Television in
times steep learning curve, and effective attention to either the history of Gresham, Oregon, [email protected],t ele-
use of the technology takes time, usually telecommunications in the United States phone [phone] x318.
a lot of it. or to the recent development of the
An Invitation to Join the
7
Alliance for Commun1Cations Democracy
.I h/
6... increasing awareness ailed reports on current court
of Community Television
throuyh educational
programs and participation
- -
in court cases involving
franchise enforcement and
constitutional questions
9
about access television.
iries to Rob Brading, Multnornah Corn nity Television, 26000 SE Stark st.,^
I lephone 5031667-7636, or ernail at [email protected]
A
/
For the past 10 y.e ars,. the Alliance for Communications Democracy has been fiqhtinq to preserve and stren-g then access.
Though the odds against us have been high, and the mega-media, corporate foes well-heeled and powerful, time and again we've
won in the courts. We can't continue this critical work without your support. With the ramifications of the 1996 Telecommunications Act
only now beginning to manifest themselves, we must be vigilant if we are to prevail and preserve democratic communications.
If not us, who? If not now, when? Please join the Alliance for Communications Democracy today!
pie watch local access programming and they want it funded! According to a national survey
nducted for the Benton Foundation,*g reater than 70 percent of those polled are in favor of
ublic, Educational and Governmental (PEG) access and in favor of commercial TV footing the bill.
Greater than 75 percent say that "broadcasters should meet public obligations in return for free access to
provide digital TV on new public airwaves.''
What does free speech mean in the information age with no public access to mass media? Community
media can change our lives. Ordinary citizens can participate in and create communication that makes an
impact on the commercial media establishment. Broadcast media have not fulfilled their promises to pro-
vide public forums as a service to the public. At election time, for example, the
broadcast media auctions communication between candidates and
the electorate to special interest groups.
The following stories offer media activists a sampling of strate-
gies, long-term plans, realistic goals and quick-fix activities that
promote and protect free expression and the pathway to democra-
'Cultures don't often merge easily." DIRK KONING offers 'food for thought' to the media activist
who must choose "the best transmission option to reach the right audience." GEORGE McCOLLOUGH and
INJA COATES found themselves fighting for what they thought they had already won. TOM BISHOP takes
action as someone lurks from behind waiting to capture the valuable PEG channels and resources. JEF-
FREY HANSELL'S media activists pair their 'pirate' broadcasts against France's 'acceptable' polished TV
awards. PAUL LeVALLEY is now an advocate of "by whatever means necessary." RICHARD TURNER chal
lenges us to prepare for the way we do business for a future when the white majority turns brown. PATRI-
CIA MOORE brings to life the Mayan nation amid bright flowers, brilliant textiles, enigmatic pyramid ruins
and government repression. LUCILLE HARRIGAN enlists the help of fellow citizens in Maryland to ensure
that PEG keeps pace with technology. KAREN THORNE bridges the gap between community television and
community radio in a culture that struggles with new technologies and the affects of apartheid imbalances.
LAURIE CIRIVELLO recounts Santa Rosa's struggles for connected communication links among those enti-
ties least likely to agree on anything. PAUL CONGO provides the practical wisdom for continuing the com-
bined PEG struggle. SUE BUSKE, in six steps, distills over 25 years of wisdom in community media. FRED
JOHNSON reminds us to take a critical look at our access goals and vision and to keep in mind why PEG
access exists. MICHAEL EISENMENGER, CAROL SPOONER, and JIM ELLINGER put teeth in the paper
tiger in support of community radio,
*Survey prepared by Lake Snell Perry & Associates; published in the Benton Foundation, The Future of Television: What's
at Stake in theDebate ouerDigitalBroadcasting, 1999.
-Patricia Garlinghouse, Editor-in-chief
Patricia Garlinghouse is executive director of Houston MediaSource. She is a member
of the national board of the Alliance, where she serves as chair of the Southwest Region and
of Information Services. Contact her at Houston MediaSource, 3900 Milam, Houston, TX 78767,
telephone [phone], xl3, or by email atp [email protected].
GÂ¥8
through the conference hallways television and computing into a seamless envi-
th a sense of wonder and excite- MAcHlk ronment to "build community through
ent New people, new technology media." A single place for the public to learn
..
and new o~~ortunitTvh.e vear was 1990 about media and its creation, to have tools
COLOR
and our little public access center hadlust to create stories and information, and to
gone out on a limb with a 5-4 vote of the have multiple options to transmit messages
board to buy a FM radio station. I was off viavoice, video and data. Or all together at
to the national convention of community once. The machinery is the easy part. We
radio folk to figure out how to make it fly. decided early on to celebrate the differ-
What a different world from community ences between community radio, television
television. I hadn't seen so many and computing. The mission can be the
Birkenstock sandals, shirts over shirts and same, but the path taken to achieve the mis-
ponytails since a decade earlier at an NFLCP sion can be quite different. Community radio
gig. These folks were savvy community orga- receives no subsidy, so it has to cater to an audi-
nizers who had scrapped for financial and polit- ence that really wants to listen and twice a year
ical self-survival for years and knew the demo- pick up the phone and show support with a dona-
graphics of their audience like the back of their hands. tion. You can nibble the hand that feeds you but ...
The second person hired at a community radio station was a Community television can learn some lessons about audience
fund development director. Having worked for PBS I realized the dynamics and can certainly learn some lessons from the fund
value of these folks. development folk of community radio. Community computing
The conference sessions were similar to NFLCP at the time. folk can learn some lessons from community television when it
What effects will the shift of technology have on us? How do we comes to public policy and local lobbying. We all must learn from
get our communities more involved? How do we keep Congress each other.
from selling us downstream? How do we keep boards from send- Cultures don't often merge easily. Just look at the history of
ing us upstream without a paddle? A main difference though was war. But community media needs to lead the way with tolerance,
in programming. Community television had the simple plan to understanding and wide-eyed vision to best serve our commuoi-
provide first-come, first-served access to television.Yikes! Com- ties. Our communities don't care about the differences between
munity radio has seen the demise of dozens of stations over that media; they want access to the best information through training,
concept of format. What musical genre, selected by whom, for the most versatile equipment, and the best transmission option
what audience? People love their music and they will fight for it. to reach the right audience. Our communities want context. What
Another stop on the train toward an integrated multimedia does this media integration mean for me and my family and
center finds me with a group of 14-year-old backers in 1984. They friends?Why should we care about media consolidation on the
are showing me how they tied their little Apples together with international level? So what if the USA is exporting culture via
friends nearby to create a network they can type messages across media worldwide. So what if Baywatchis the most popular show
without paying long distance bills. I introduce them to a local on earth. So what if the radio and television stations are the first
reporter to share this interesting concept, and before she gets thing seized in a coup. So what if our kids spend more time with
back to the newspaper, they hack the dial-in code of the paper, television than teachers. So what if they see thousands of violent
write her article about them and submit it for publication. scenes on media per year, yet naked breasts are banned. So what?
Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on your "take,", they The words community and communication mean'to share.'
spell her name wrong on the article and a desk editor catches it. Community media is in a unique position to share knowledge
The newspaper calls the cops, descends on the boys and me, and context, to share equipment and technology, and to share
and I talk the editor into having the boys explain how they did it transmission via cable, radio, Internet, fax, phone. .. whatever. If all
in return for amnesty. information is being converted to the simplest common denomi-
There weren't civic network conferences to attend at the time nator as Is and 0s and moved in hit streams via fiber, coax and RF
and Freenets were just getting started, so we jumped on board. waves in the air, let's join the club. Let's be Bit Stream Activists.
What a different world the early Freenet folks were, mostly pasty Let's be Pixel Dust Producers. Let's build MultiMedia Centers.
skinned, white young males with way too much time on their Let's blend the financial independence of community radio with
hands. Some talked of civil society, free access and the great the open access platform of community television and mix in the
oppressor, but many wanted fast access to games and a better technical savvy of community computing and watch the sparks
pixel count to look at pictures of pasty skinned white young fly. Let's be open to old and new media. Let's share and partner
females. The free access part hit a cord. with all who support the mission. Let's make up new media and
Meanwhile engineers at Bell Labs were hustling to find the new uses for old media. Let's make sure the revolution is televised
unified field theory of multimedia integration. Voice, video and and broadcast and streamed and printed and Brailled and signed
data as one ubiquitous bit stream, metered by the second into and relayed and shouted from the mountaintops with mega-
every home, school and office~convergencein a word, conver- phones.
gence of technology unleashing waves of corporate buyouts, con-
solidations and hostile takeovers. It is still happening.
The Community Media Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan email koning@gr&c.org, or visit the websiteat www.grcmc.org
continues with a noble experiment meshing community radio,