When it comes to telecommunications, we are definitely living in interesting times. Last month, the Indianapolis community rallied to show their continued, and thus far unsatisfied, desire for a public access television channel. Bright House Network?s push for an early renewal of their local cable franchise agreement - before the July 1 statewide video franchising law went into effect -- died on the vine with their desire to reduce the number of access channels they provide to Indianapolis, among other points of disagreement. Although not the outcome we were working toward, it is a victory that keeps the window of opportunity open for other solutions for a public access television channel. 

The Indianapolis Star endorsed the call for a public access television channel in the June 14, 2006 editorial, "Voice of the people deserves air time."  

According to the Star, "The city should seize the opportunity to end the 10-year exile of public-access television," and "We urge the council and Mayor Bart Peterson to seize the day and add this significant strand to the local civic grapevine."

Download the July/August 2006 issue of the Public Access of Indianapolis newsletter, The Right of Way.  The feature article is an update on our quest for a public access television channel, "Public Access TV: A Solution?" which is accompanied by an editorial, "Nothing to Fear From Access," and "Activating the Fifth Access Channel." Additional articles include "David Korten's Turnings," "A Tribute to Nam June Puik," "FCC Says 'Play It Again, Sam' on Media Consolidation?" and "Indiana Ushers in Statewide Video Franchising," along with our regular updates on national telecommunications legislation and the monthly Cable Franchise Board meetings. (Adobe Acrobat Reader required.) 

"It's been a decade since public-access programming last aired in Indianapolis, yet advocates are more optimistic than ever that we may soon be able to tune in to television produced by almost anyone with a video camera," writes Brendan O'Shaunessey in his June 12, 2006 Indianapolis Star article, "Public Access May Return to Cable TV."

The Cable Franchise Board meeting of May 15 was special in its unusually large audience. A long list of people signed up to offer public comments, with most wearing colorful buttons stating, ?Indy Needs Public Access TV.? The meeting included most of the usual reports but its focus turned to the possibility that public access television could return to the city as part of Bright House Networks? unexpected request to renew its local cable franchise agreement before the new state video franchising law takes effect on July 1.

The May 15 meeting of the Cable Franchise Board afforded interested citizens an opportunity to voice support for adding a provision for public access TV to the cable franchise contract Bright House Networks (BHN) is currently renegotiating with the city. Some of the comments made at the meeting are detailed here.

Veteran television producer Ron Haldeman tried to continue producing the long-running Peaceworks program after Indianapolis lost its public access channel in 1996. but couldn?t afford the cost and had to abandon the show. More than 500 half-hour Peaceworks programs were produced, which were shown in Indianapolis and five other Indiana cities. Mr. Haldeman is concerned about his ability to exercise his First Amendment right of free speech without the ability to communicate information as freely and effectively as was done by speaking on street corners in the 1940s. He knows that public access TV can provide a platform for individual citizens and for groups such as the Indianapolis Peace and Justice Center.