The Alliance for Community Media (ACM) opposes handing over PEG access TV channels to non-access entities, and issued a Public Policy Update in March, 1999.  ACM's position corresponds to the one taken by Public Access of Indianapolis against Fox Sports Midwest using the former public access TV channel to help launch itself in Indianapolis. 

Alliance for Community Media (ACM)  

P U B L I C  P O L I C Y  U P D A T E

March, 1999

From: Craig Meklir

Government Relations Coordinator

Issues and Actions

Alliance Issues Press Release

The ACM has uncovered an orchestrated attempt by the new Forum Network to grab access channel capacity in the District of Columbia and surrounding metro area. "The Forum Network" is a joint project of the $900-million Gannett funded Freedom Forum and public television station WETA. In order to meet a June deadline for launching the Forum Network, there has been an attempt to secure one access channel from each of the metro areas. The Alliance met with executives from the Forum Network (Freedom Forum and WETA) and let them know that while we welcome collaboration we are firmly opposed to handing over access channels to non-access entities. The Alliance's position was stated in a press release dated March 16, 1999. For a copy of the press release, visit our website.