SCAT reply (Scientology)

[an-art-worker.livejournal.com]

So I wrote to SCAT and got a reply about the Scientology programs they are running:


The show is sponsored by a Somerville resident. Any Somerville
resident may sponsor any program because we are a free speech forum.
We do not charge for the service.
Thanks for watching SCAT.


I wonder what the extent of free speech support is and/or why there aren't more interesting programs on SCAT given the critical mass of creative people who live here.

Comments

community access television

[mattdm [typekey.com] (from livejournal.com)]

As I understand it, cable television companies are obligated by law to provide "public access" channels. This is literally so -- anyone can make anything to put on the air, without editorial control, and the cable company is likewise free of editorial responsibility. The actual producer of the content must obey FCC rules and is responsible for any libel, etc. (Same thing that protects my ISP, and presumably LiveJournal, from being responsible for whatever madness I happen to spew forth.)

[oakenguy.livejournal.com]

IIRC, at SCAT you have to go through a multi-part training session and help out doing some grunt work for other shows before you get to the point where you're given a time slot for yourself.

I find Scientology repugnant, but if our local Thetan-wannabe has jumped through the hoops and qualified for airtime, it seems wrong to deny him/her.

[ron_newman]

the right answer to this might be for some of us to produce an anti-Scientology show for SCAT ...

[an-art-worker.livejournal.com]

I'd rather put my energies to producing some kick ass art programming (and not just because the Scientology programs are of the generic (bad) infomercial sort). A charismatic interviewer and some good producers to line up content - how hard can it be? Some remote camera feeds/recording.

I don't think I have ever actually "watched" anything on SCAT (except "Congresssional Report with Capuano - though that' channel 16, I think, and anyway, it was pre-Brazil junket (what was up with *that??). Does anyone watch it? (hmm.. "watching" TV. Ok... look at it).

[ron_newman]

Are you on the Somerville Arts Council e-mail list? I get messages almost every week about some SCAT show or other involving local artists or writers.

[prog.livejournal.com]

You do have to attend a training class that meets three or four times over the course of a month before you get basic "community producer" privileges, which include the ability to borrow and use the station's camcorders and request studio time.

I think, though, that simply ponying up the $45 annual dues (which you have to do at any rate) nets you the ability to sponsor shows from other sources. I don't know the exact procedure for this, though.