TELLING VISITORS ABOUT CABLE ACCESS -

BY PAMELA COLBY, MTN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Telling visitors about cable access is a task that comes to me often, one time that especially stood out was when I met with a group of journalists visiting MTN from Turkey and Greece. MTN participates in a program with the International Center of Minnesota whereby people involved in the television industry across the globe visit and tour our facility. What I usually find in meeting with these international guests (whether they be from Japan, Belarus, or South Africa) is that they are interested in learning more about public access (they often have never even heard of it) and that they are surprised to find television facilities and channel time available to the public. They usually are very appreciative and inspired and may even leave a small gift and we part pleasantly. However, this was not quite the case with our visitors from Turkey and Greece. We began our tour in the administration offices where we gathered at the conference table to discuss MTN. The group was made up of four women and one man, all in their late 20's or early 30's, most served primarily as on-air talent in the television news industry within their respective countries. When I began my routine description of MTN, community media and the role we play, I noticed a couple of their faces turn stone cold and then one of them said to me, "But why? - Why do you think the public needs access to the media? That is the job of the media - to inform the public. Why should the public have access to the media?". I answered that we feel it IS important that unheard voices in our community have an opportunity to tell their stories and that every year our Media is owned by fewer and fewer people. I went on to explain the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution and how public access is an extension of it and explained the idea of being a "free speech forum". One of the women said to me, "that is the problem with your country - too much free speech ! No wonder your children are killing each other : with all this free speech, people can say anything".

Well - that was quite a moment for me, I had to sit back and listen and just think ... - what could I say?

I have given that visit a lot of thought, played over the conversation in my head, came up with new arguments. I have been challenged to look deep inside my strong beliefs in free speech, to try and imagine why people from other cultures might think it is so dangerous. In my fourteen years of working at MTN I have yet to see any violence equal to one episode of NYPD Blues. I do know that public access as a concept is catching on globally. In Amsterdam, Sweden, Australia, and many countries in Latin America - all have some form of public access or "Open Channels" now.

Looking back on the meeting with the journalists from Turkey and Greece, I know that I have gained a lot from being forced to defend something that I believe in strongly. I have often in my life opposed acts by the United States government, especially acts of aggression in foreign countries. To defend the First Amendment of the Con stitution of the United States of America is something I have never had to do publically. I have had to defend public access plenty but that usually goes with arguments based on interpretations of the First Amendment and that is a whole other article.

If it wasn't for public access I would know very little about both sides of the Highway 55 reroute issue. I have been able to watch long complex meetings on Light Rail Transit plans, hearings on the Mpls. affordable housing study and see forums from Lucille's Kitchen in North Minneapolis, along with other critical information that we need to be informed citizens. Topics covered in much more depth than major media outlets provide and perhaps broader and at least more diverse perspectives.

I hope that in reading this article you too will take a moment to reflect on public access and your right as a citizen to access the media. In the meantime - keep on making and watching public access television.... And Keep up the Great Work !

Page One: MTN Channels on the Move
Page Two: MTN News
Page Three: MTN Profile
Page Four: Programming Notes
Page Five: MTN out of I.S.P. biz
Page Six: What to Tell Visitors to MTN?
Page Seven: Open House Photos