Supporters hope bill can save public access TV

As state funding for community access TV operations continues to wither across the USA, supporters are looking hopefully at a bill before Congress that would help to restore their local government, education, cultural and other programming.

As many as 1,800 Public, Educational and Government (PEG) operations have closed and funding has been slashed in 20 states as franchise agreements expire, according to the advocacy group American Community Television in Washington. Supporters see the proposed Community Access Preservation Act, or CAP Act, as a way to salvage their mission. Community access TV can air shows ranging from city council meetings to features on local artists and school productions. In Chicago, for example, program topics include poetry, photography and motorcycle safety, as well as government meetings. The legislation would restore communities' ability to get PEG funding and loosen restrictions in the Cable Communications Act of 1984 on how public access channels can spend money, according to the advocacy group Alliance for Community Media. The bill is pending in the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. No hearing date has been set.