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. 

Other speakers at the meeting included Derrick Davis, who was active in producing shows on public access in Chicago and was “stunned” to find that his new home town has no community-access TV. Linda Proffitt, CEO of Global Peace Initiatives, spoke for “the little guy” who has a message to share and could find opportunities through public access TV,. “It is the genius of the people of Indianapolis that we want to bring forth,” stated Ms. Proffitt.

Dave Menzer, representing both Citizens Action Coalition, which has 20,000 members in the state, and Knollton East Neighborhood Association, spoke in support of public access television, and expressed frustration over media consolidation and the lack of competition. Matthew Barron expressed support for public access through a story of a high school student who produced a show on his own that inspired other young people to do the same. Jean Coughlin lived near major cities in six states but found only Indianapolis lacked a public access channel. Reba Wood, representing CFI Community of Indiana, which fosters science, reason, and human inquiry, currently produces local podcasts and would find public access helpful in getting information out about her organization. Jim Pilbrow is an advocate of efforts to find solutions for oil shortages and represents North Meadow Circle of Friends. Mr. Pilbrow can see public access filling a crucial need for the local community to prepare and manage emergencies such as oil prices rising to $100 per barrel.

Nancy Holle, President of the Community Faith and Labor Coalition, which serves the same area as Bright House Networks, sees public access TV as providing a way to get her organization’s message out and to support fund-raising activities, as well as an avenue for individual citizens to speak out. Kathleen Dobie believes public access can give voice to the vitality of Indianapolis. Carl Kakasuleff tried to use video production resources in the city as an independent producer but found that there were high costs or that content was restricted to religion or music. He suggests the restoration of public access could be a form of amends by the city for shutting down the channel ten years ago. Christina Cesnik, of Central Indiana Jobs With Justice, is a Bright House Networks customer and citizen who seeks a place for diverse views and who suggests that as the Cable Franchise Board deliberates they consider a public access channel a “serious subject” for Indianapolis.

Jean Coughlin is a retired Indianapolis IT worker.