Access Rules & Regulations

Television of the People

Access Television operates under the 1st Amendment of the Constitution, which grants every American freedom of speech. It offers this right through the exciting electronic medium of television.

Public Access channels can help us meet our neighbors, explore our communities, and address issues of local concern in a totally new fashion. At Access, the channels are used for a type of community communication. Whereas commercial television is "broad" casting, aimed at a large and diversified audience, Access is "narrow" casting, aimed at a small audience with perhaps only one common bond in interest. Whereas broadcasting is one-way and passive, Access is two-way and very participative.

Portage Cable Access is your window to your community, your schools, and your government. It's important to use it; it's the people's voice and the people's choice.

Television for the People

Charter Communications, the local cable provider, has a franchise agreement with the City of Portage to provide local community access. In turn, the City has contracted with the Portage Public Schools to operate the Cable Access Center. PCA is the responsibility of the Technology Department of the Portage Public Schools, under the direction of the Technology Administrator.

Currently, PCA brings the community programming on two channels for your entertainment and education. Channels 19 and 20.

Programming

Completed television programs, produced either locally or elsewhere, are shown over one of the two Portage Access channels. In doing so, some guidelines are expressed to be sure that access television remains "television for the people".

Content

PCA producers retain all rights to the content of their programs. It is recommended that all persons appearing before the camera sign a talent release form and that the producer is familiar with copyright laws.

Access to cablecasting via channels 19 and 20 is not denied on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, age, physical disability, religious or political beliefs, or the nature of the programming content except as defined in the following guidelines.

Programming must NOT contain:

1. Obscene or indecent materials.

2. Lottery or lottery information, gambling or pari-mutuel schemes.

3. Advertising material designed to promote the sale of commercial products and or services, or announcements on behalf of candidates for public office.

4. Direct solicitation of funds.

5. Material which constitutes libel, slander, and violation of trademark or copyright.

6. Material which violates local, state, and federal law.

Any discretionary problems with program content will be first discussed with the producer and Portage Cable Access Administrator.

Procedures for Use of Facilities

Our equipment and facilities are here to assist you in bringing your communication goals to our community. Because of this unique privilege, certain responsibilities are inherent to maintain the accessibility to all users.

Access equipment is used solely to produce programs for community, government, or educational access. Other use of the equipment will result in denial of further use.

All equipment users will have to either attend a training session or demonstrate proper use of the equipment. Users of the equipment must sign a "Statement of Compliance" on the Facilities Request Form. Users under 18 years of age must have a responsible adult sign with them.

To Reserve the Studio, Remote, and Editing Equipment

1. Reserve equipment and facilities on a first come first serve basis upon receipt of a written request from a qualified user.

2. User should reserve equipment for facilities at least 2 days in advance, but no more than 30 days in advance. Notify the staff of a cancellation at least 2 days in advance.

3. No more than 4 reservations per individual or organization are honored in any one-month. Additional time may be reserved on a twenty-four hour basis if equipment is available.

4. Reservation of remote equipment is for a twenty-four hour period. Friday afternoons by 4:30 PM to Monday morning at 8:00 am is considered one booking.

5. Reservation of the studio or editing equipment is for time required (not to exceed a 4-hour period). Editing time during after hours may be scheduled through PCA staff.

6. Failure to return equipment at agreed upon time may result in denial of further use.

7. Additional procedures may be adopted if reservation conflicts occur.

To Reproduce Videotape Cablecast over PCA

1. PCA will copy a tape for a Portage community member for a minimal charge to cover expenses. The individual must provide blank videotape(s).

2. A local producer may dub his/her own tapes free of charge depending upon availability of equipment. Schedule copying time through PCA staff. Producer must provide blank videotape(s).

3. PCA will not copy any videotape without the Producer's permission or which is copyrighted.

Scheduling

Any Portage Community member may schedule a television program by simply following these procedures.

1. Before a program is cablecast, the producer, or scheduler, must complete a "Scheduling Request Form". Included within the form is a "Statement of Indemnity" which must be signed.

2. Channel time must be reserved at least 2 weeks in advance to be able to have the program listed in the television section of the "Kalamazoo Gazette", as well as TV Guides Calendar on the Cable Provider system. Exceptions to this 2-week advance scheduling could be made for timely programming.

3. All channel time is reserved on a first come basis. Series and block programming may have a regular time slot. PCA reserves the right to schedule programs on the appropriate channel.

4. Programs can be initially scheduled up to 4 times per month, and re-scheduled after a 4 week time period. Program series can be re-scheduled depending upon time slot availability.

5. The videotape must be submitted with the "Scheduling Request Form". The formats are 1/2" VHS, Super VHS, 3/4", DVD, and Digital DVCPro.

6. Tape Quality itself (as opposed to tape content) must be of a high quality to avoid damaging PCA playback equipment. Only the official "VHS" licensed videotape will be accepted.

7. There can only be one program per videotape with no prior recorded material on the tape. This is to insure that inadvertent cablecasting will not occur.

8. All tapes must be labeled with the following information:

a. Program Title

b. Producer or contact person/telephone number

c. Exact length of program

d. Date of taping

9. The videotape must be titled with credits at the beginning and end of program. Black video and no audio must follow the ending credits.

10. The videotape is property of the producer, or scheduler. He/she is responsible for picking up the tape after the last cablecast.

The Above Procedures Pertaining to the Public Use and Operation of the Portage Cable Access Facilities and Equipment are General Guidelines. Specific Changes and Initiatives are the Direct Right and Responsibility of the Portage Public Schools.