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With sharpies drawn, glue guns blazing, and box cutters slashing, creative supporters of Baltimore Public Access TV prepared for the March 30 hearing. Media democracy activists and community supporters of Public Access TV are poised to show up promptly at 6:00pm for a pre-hearing rally at 200 E. North Ave. outside of the City Department of Education building. The hearing begins at 6:30 and people are encouraged to voice their support for the points noted below. People are also encouraged to submit formal comments in writing after the hearing.

Community organizers are prepared to ensure that a slice of the 5% cable TV franchise fee received by the City will be dedicated to Public Access TV in Baltimore. They recognize that dedicated funding is the key to successful stations around the country. Lack of a dedicated slice of the franchise funding pie has been the downfall of Baltimore Public Access TV in the past.

The hearing on Tuesday will be used by the City to gauge the people's support. Because the contract under negotiation is likely to be for 20-years, this is a fleeting opportunity to build a solid foundation for the future.

In coordination with Baltimore Grassroots Media, community artists and organizers will show their support for a vibrant Public Access TV outlet. Participants in the Forum on Creative Organizing, held on Saturday March 27, elected to throw their support behind this vital cause, which cuts across all community organizing issues.





Talking Points for Public Comments

1. Insufficient notice of the hearing was given to the public by Baltimore City. A second public hearing should be scheduled to fairly gauge the people's interests in Public Access TV.

2. The public comment period on this first and possibly last public hearing should be extended for another 60-days beyond the closing date.

3. Dedicated Funding: Public Access TV should receive at least one-fifth of the 5% cable franchise fee that the City now puts in the general funds. The contract should require that additional funds be set-aside annually to support studio space and equipment. These are common provisions in contracts in most other cities and counties across the nation. (See Public Access Internet below).

4. The contract should provide Public Access TV with a percentage of the band width, not just a single channel. As technology improves, and band width increases, we want the public access band width become greater too.

5. We want a provision in the contract to ensure that "Public Access" will include "Public Access Internet" if it is technically viable. We want the cable company to fund the capital costs, maintenance, and upgrades of a public access internet service separately from the franchise fees.

6. If the City is going to give a sole source contract to Comcast, the contract period should be for no more than 10-years. Most cities have bidding open to competition, but we're willing to look the other way on this if the contract period is short.

See handouts at the 6pm rally for more talking points.

Send written comments to:

Ms. Marilyn Harris-Davis
Executive Director,
Mayor's Office of Cable and Communications
City Hall
Room 250
100 N. Holliday Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202

e-mail: cable21-AT-mail.ci.baltimore.md.us