Press Release
Free Press Cheers New Bill to Protect Community Media
Contact: Timothy Karr, 201-533-8838
WASHINGTON — Free Press today endorsed a bill designed to prevent discriminatory practices by cable operators and to ensure a level playing field for community voices in an increasingly consolidated cable industry. The bipartisan Community Access Preservation Act (HR 1746), co-sponsored by Reps. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Steve LaTourette (R-Ohio), would strengthen public, educational, and government access television stations and community media centers around the country.
Craig Aaron, president and CEO of Free Press, made the following statement:
“Public access channels provide a vital service to our communities. The training, tools and technology at community media centers put the power of media making in local hands and give voice to pressing local issues. This bipartisan bill helps ensure that big cable companies can’t abandon their public interest mandate to support community media. As the media landscape shifts, and many corporate outlets abandon community service, we need to encourage more truly local news, information and diverse programming. This legislation is an important contribution to that effort.”
Craig Aaron, president and CEO of Free Press, made the following statement:
“Public access channels provide a vital service to our communities. The training, tools and technology at community media centers put the power of media making in local hands and give voice to pressing local issues. This bipartisan bill helps ensure that big cable companies can’t abandon their public interest mandate to support community media. As the media landscape shifts, and many corporate outlets abandon community service, we need to encourage more truly local news, information and diverse programming. This legislation is an important contribution to that effort.”
