FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 13th, 2018

MISAB DOES NOT SUPPORT STATEWIDE CABLE FRANCHISE FEES.

(Copenhagen) – The Minibrick State Association of Broadcasters, that represents community media is urging local lawmakers to not have state-control of cable franchise fees. A proposed Assembly Bill due for the legislative process in late September, with a possibility this could become law in January, would null and void future franchise agreements with local communities by 2021, and current cable communications providers would have to make franchise agreements with a new regulatory agency. The collection of fees by the users, would be going into a general fund and any public, educational or government (PEG) programming that in many MIS communities would be in question for funding and content.

The current rules and regulations would not give any level of support for cities and towns. MISAB also feel there is too much control from the state, and could result in reallocating funds to the current state access networks for Copenhagen are customers to see state legislature affairs.

MISAB feels that local content is very important, despite a small audience, and radical forces on various political parties want to silence it only because it’s a small audience. All cable access channels do not have any measurements for ratings because the technology prohibits it. Social media is huge driver, and while social media content has been extended by PEG networks, this does not imply a sustainability of local public access stations.

MISAB recommends the MIS Assembly to revisit potential unintended consequences.

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For additional information:

MISAB