Public Access of Indianapolis

Public Access of Indianapolis (PAI) is a nonprofit community media organization with a goal of reestablishing public access TV on Bright House Networks (Time Warner) and Comcast cable television systems in Indianapolis. PAI provides volunteer video services for nonprofits, and maintains an on-demand, streaming video library of community events and meetings.

Why We Want a Public Access TV Channel:
One of the weaknesses of our modern society is the lack of a sense of community. Public access TV could go a long way towards solving the problem. We need communication. From: Anne Bryant Sign the Petition

News

The Right of Way Newsletter March 2006

Download the March/April 2006 issue of the Public Access of Indianapolis newsletter, The Right of Way. The feature article is the third in a series on telecommunications reform, "Network Neutrality -- Internet at the Crossroads," by Jean Coughlin. Other articles include an overview of Indiana's new telecommunications landscape, a call for participation and proposals for the 2006 Alternative Media Festival, pay to send email, a profile of Cable Franchise Board member, Kent Burrow, and a review of the film, Eight Below. (Adobe Reader required.)

Indiana Passes Statewide Video Franchising Bill

The Indiana General Assembly has passed sweeping and controversial telecommunications legislation that creates a statewide video franchising system and deregulates telephone rates. Governor Mitch Daniels pledges to sign House Bill (HB) 1279 into law as quickly as possible. See "House approves telecom reform bill," Indianapolis Star, 3/1/06.

Dallas and San Antonio Public Access TV Lose with Texas Statewide Video Franchising

More info on the negative impact on public access TV from Texas statewide video franchises: The FCC recently held a two-day hearing in Texas on video competition. Sharon S. King, President of Dallas Community Television, spoke of a 22% budget cut and the loss of San Antonio's public access channel due to Texas' enactment of statewide video franchises. Testimony (pdf)

Citizens Hearing on Indiana Telecom Policy

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Watch a replay of a citizen-focused panel discusion taped at Access Ft. Wayne's studio on Indiana's proposed 2006 telecommunications reform legislation. Nick Hess, Board Member of Common Cause Indiana and Public Access of Indianapolis, and Grant Smith, Executive Director of Citizens Action Coalition; were the panelists. Dr. Jonathan Tankel, Associate Professor of Communications, Indiana University - Purdue University, Ft. Wayne was the host. (RealMedia capable player required.)

Cable Competition vs Local Authority and Control

The Baby Bells are waging a war against local cable franchise agreements in Congress, at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and in state legislatures, including Indiana. Their battle cry is "cable competition!" Public access television, municipal broadband, the openness of the internet, basic telephone rate regulation, cable franchise fees and regulation of public right-of-ways are all potential casualties.

Dick Armey -- yes, the Dick Armey, former House Majority Leader -- suggests that Indiana should abolish all cable/video franchise fees in a letter of support to Senator Brandt Hershman, sponsor of SB245 on telecommunitation deregulation and state-wide video franchises. Bunnie Riedel, former Executive Director of the Alliance for Community Media, calls Armey's missive "a masterpiece of flatulent obfuscation" in her blog. Armey is now Co-Chair of FreedomWorks, a Texas-based "grassroots" organization that is sponsoring the "Choose Your Cable" advertisements in Indiana and other states to eliminate local cable franchises, deregulate basic telephone service and offer tax abatements to assist the Baby Bells.

The Right of Way Newsletter January 2006

Download the January/February 2006 issue of the Public Access of Indianapolis newsletter, The Right of Way. The feature article is the second in a series on telecommunications reform, "Cable Competition vs Local Authority and Control ," on the Baby Bell's war on local cable franchsing, including Indiana's proposed legislation, and all that it risks. Other articles include a profile of Cable Franchise Board member, Robin Winston, "The Year in Review," a call for media monitors, and a review of the film, Good Night, and Good Luck. (Adobe Reader required.)

Bloomington Telecommunications Council Opposes State Video Franchises

The Bloomington Telecommunications Council has asked members of the Indiana Senate to oppose the state-wide video franchise provisions of the telecommunications deregulation bill, SB 245:
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Media Reform: Big Telco vs. Big Cable vs. Public Interest

The long-promised era of digital convergence, high-speed or ?broadband? internet, telephone, and video over a single wire, is upon us. Competition, actual and anticipated, is fierce among the major commercial providers of telecommunications services. The ability of a single provider to offer multiple services ? broadband internet, telephone, video, and soon wireless mobile phones -- represents an attractive business opportunity for traditional telephone and cable companies to expand their markets.