Berkshire Edge
Letter to FCC: Keep viability of public access TV stations
Dear Chairman Pai,
FCC is at it again: Proposed changes to benefit big cable, harm local access channels
If new rules are adopted by the Federal Communications Commission, local public-access cable stations such as CTSB (a station in MA) could go out of business, leaving local residents without options for keeping a close eye on their town governments or school districts. Under existing FCC rules, towns and cities nationwide are allowed to negotiate franchise agreements with cable television providers. Those municipalities can require in the agreements that the cable companies meet certain community needs such as setting aside channels for public, educational or governmental (PEG) channels.