Los Angeles, CA In a nine minute Video News Blog, the Full Disclosure Network reveals the eminent demise of “public access” cable television channels in the heart of the media world in the City of Los Angeles.
This video features clips from testimony of Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl, a former Carter White House operative, who served as a Western Regional cable executive and public affairs television show host for Century Cable, Adelphia and Time Warner Cable companies in the Southern California area for over 20 years. Mr. Rosendahl emphatically laments the City’s move to shut down the public access cable channels.
Also appearing in the video is David Hernandez, long time civic activist and currently Executive Director of the San Fernando Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Hernandez describes how legislation sponsored by Southern Californians, State Assembly Leader Fabian Nunez and Lloyd Levine in 2007, sparked the move to shut down public access cable channels.
According to Hernandez, the Nunez/Lloyd legislation provided that cable companies could opt out of providing studio facilities by paying local governments a 2% cable franchise fee, instituting a “State Franchise Agreement” that is overseen by the California Public Utilities Commission. In 1984 the Federal Communications Act, was enacted as bi-partisan legislation that mandated public access to cable channels to counter balance the dominance of government-funded cable channels.
Comments to date: 24. This is page 1 of 3.
Ace Mann L.A.
Posted: 04:32 pm [PST] on November 18 2008
These State-Phonies, Are More Political Dimwits,Manipulating The Public Programs ,For Their Own Agenda, In Brainwashing The Masses,Bill of Rights.
Ace Mann L.A.
Posted: 04:32 pm [PST] on November 18 2008
These State-Phonies, Are More Political Dimwits,Manipulating The Public Programs ,For Their Own Agenda, In Brainwashing The Masses,Bill of Rights.
G. Jay Christensen Northridge
Posted: 04:03 pm [PST] on November 18 2008
Ladies and Gentlemen, please save our public access. We will definitely be watching whether or not governmental stations are going to allow public access at the time these public channels require.
It doesn't sound good to me that public access is being denied by the movement of commercial channels to restrict.
Best, Dr. G. Jay Christensen
Management Professor Emeritus
Maggie Moline Los Angeles
Posted: 11:23 am [PST] on November 18 2008
Please save Public access!
Maurece Hollywood
Posted: 10:08 am [PST] on November 18 2008
When does this game end with we the people continually being dumb downed, manipulated for a profit margin, repetitively propagandized, lied to, disenfranchised, ignored, stealthfully segregated, and only viewed as obedient cash cows in the field or lambs for the slaughter house?
The public airwaves are still the Public’s airwaves and the gorging from the greed bowl must end or soon, we’ll be a country with no means to support itself, or worse yet.. we’ll simply collapse on ourselves and there will be no country.
Enough of swallowing the crap guys… enough. Show some spine, show some ethics, return to rational debate and lead for WE the people, not for the pockets of you or your associates or the corporate goals of living like a Max Headroom Chronicles episode.
Jessica Sterling Toluca Lake
Posted: 10:25 am [PST] on November 18 2008
Public Access is an opportunity. While the internet does provide many venues (controlled by multi-national corporations) for civic contribution, local citizens still need a local voice. The city government does not have the right to redirect funds from this most basic need.
Glen Wilson Northridge, CA 91324
Posted: 12:35 pm [PST] on November 17 2008
Save “public access” cable television channels in the heart of the media world in the City of Los Angeles like “public access” cable channels 34 and 35.
Denny Schneider Westchester
Posted: 05:01 am [PST] on November 15 2008
Free access TV is critical to the democratic process and is a responsibility we assigned to the cable companies as a measurable item in the assessment of their use of the public rights of way. Giving the 2% fee to the Cities is an unacceptable way to buy their way out because it doesn't ensure freedom of open expression when the money is used for other purposes.
Charlotte Laws Valley Glen / Woodland Hills
Posted: 06:24 pm [PST] on November 13 2008
I hope the City Council will find a way to preserve Public Access. I am the chair of the Government Relations Committee for Greater Valley Glen Council & our Council voted in support of continuing public access for the stakeholders of Los Angeles. We submitted a Community Impact Statement to this effect.
Charlotte Laws
Ken saint louis usa
Posted: 05:52 pm [PST] on November 02 2008
It's the same bastards who control the whole darn city and state government. Nunez is a puppet controlled by the silent masters who control the school district and most local politicians. You know who they are. Who stands to gain by dumbing the public?
The same monied interests.Need I say more?