Common Bonds of Indianapolis

"Indianapolis is really alone when it comes to having no public access." Bunnie Riedel, former Executive Director, Alliance for Community Media, Washington, DC This is not the distinction that Indianapolis wants or needs. Some 3000 communities around the country have public access TV. They recognize the importance of having a local television channel available to the public, especially since the cable company monopolies use public rights of way. In the 1980's, Indianapolis' citizens, religious leaders and community groups understood its importance and fought a long, tough public battle to have public access TV in the first cable franchise agreements. In 1996, the City quietly ended it, trading public interest for corporate gain. The power of our right to free speech is greatly diminished when the average citizen or community group is locked out of television -- still the most important vehicle of mass communication -- because of its cost and control. Most people understand that nearly all media, including TV, radio, newspapers, and magazines, are owned and controlled by a handful of media conglomerates driven by profit. What we see on television, therefore, is that which maximizes profit -- not that which is most newsworthy or beneficial to our community. The power of public access television is in its ability to enable real public discourse and participation --not just political soundbites or the views of the anointed-appointed, powerful few that benefit corporate interests. Public access TV is democratic infrastructure. It is community-based, independent and alternative media. Join Public Access of Indianapolis' campaign to get public access TV back on the air.