Policy Review 2008

Table of Contents

Preamble
Introduction
Eligibility
Scheduling Equipment and Facilities
Program Ownership & Distribution
Channel Access
Stipends, Per Diem and Other Reimbursements
Rules Violations and Loss of Privileges
Amendments to the Rules and Procedures

Preamble

Policies
1.Producers are solely responsible for the content of their productions.
2.Producer’s free speech rights are protected and enhanced by public access television.

Introduction

Policies
1.Mission Statement – The mission of MCTV 15 is to encourage and support the use of media for sharing thoughts opinions and events by, and for the people of Siskiyou County.
2.MCTV 15 Staff consists of part time workers…… (needs revision)
3.All Volunteers have equal standing and carry no authority over other volunteers unless staff has delegated the authority..

Eligibility

Policies
1.Eligibility for the use of MCTV managed resources is limited to any adult resident, authorized minor, representative of Siskiyou County area nonprofit organization, local government agency, local educational establishments and students in media classes at the College of Siskiyous.

Scheduling Equipment and Facilities

Policies
Production Meeting
1.One preproduction meeting is required per individual show or series. Additional preproduction meetings may be scheduled as needed.
2.Before reserving MCTV 15 equipment, the community producer is required to fill out a Production Agreement form and meet with a Production Coordinator to discuss the show.

Reservations
3.Reservations for resources are on a first-come first-serve basis, except for advanced series reservations, which are established semi-annually. All reservations are granted without favoritism.
Access Producer Insurance and the Equipment Replacement Fund
4.Producers are liable for any loss or damages sustained to MCTV 15 facilities and equipment while checked out by the producer. It is recommended that producers acquire insurance coverage for for their productions

Cancellations
5.Producers are required to notify the staff of any cancellation of reserved equipment or facilities time prior to the time reserved.
Additional Procedures for Use of Studio Facilities
6.Producers with series shows scheduled on MCTV 15 may request and be given priority use of regular series production time in MCTV 15’s production facility.

Program Ownership & Distribution

Ownership and Copyright
1.Community producers retain ownership of the creative rights to the programs they produce and may register and establish a copyright at their discretion.

Intention
2.Non-commercial programs that are produced with MCTV 15 equipment and facilities must be intended for cablecast on MCTV 15.

Show Agreement
3.At the time a completed show is submitted for cablecast scheduling, the producer or provider must submit a signed Show Contract which holds him/her liable and legally responsible for the shows content.

Potentially Objectionable Show Content
4.MCTV 15 requires that producers provide notice to cable viewers in the event that their show contains potentially objectionable content. Potentially objectionable content can include, but is not limited to, profane language, nudity, extreme physical violence or degradation, and graphic depiction of medical procedures.

Identification
5.The producer/provider must be identified at the beginning and end of the show by a character generated name and local contact information for at least 20 seconds. Local contract information may be an active and accurate local address, a telephone number or an email address. PO box addresses are acceptable and a pseudonym may be used to protect personal confidentiality.

First Use
6.Any show in which the community producer has made use of MCTV 15 facilities and/or equipment must be cablecast at least once on MCTV 15 prior to, or concurrent with, cablecast on any other community access system and prior to any other form of distribution. Failure to provide show for first use will be considered a minor violation.

Acknowledgment of MCTV 15 Access Facilities
7.All programs produced with MCTV 15 equipment and facilities and any copies, must clearly acknowledge the provision of the equipment and facilities.

Channel Access

Censorship
2.MCTV 15 will not censor or review shows before they are cablecast. However, MCTV 15 will not knowingly permit the public access facilities or the cable channel under its control to be used for the production or cable casting of any material which is in violation of California's Penal Code regarding obscenity. MCTV 15 shall prohibit such programming from cable casting or suspend such programming in progress, if and when MCTV 15 receives actual knowledge of the content and character of said programming. The public access channel is a public forum; therefore, constitutionally appropriate guidelines will be followed to enforce this provision.

Scheduling Priorities
3.In scheduling shows on the MCTV 15 Access channel, first priority is given to live local government meetings; second priority is given to locally produced shows. Third priority is given to shows produced elsewhere but sponsored locally. Fourth priority is given to all shows produced elsewhere without a local sponsor. New shows have priority over repeat showings of either individual or series shows at the discretion of MCTV 15.

Series Shows
4.A series time slot is a privilege, not a right. A provider who submits shows on a regular basis may apply for a series time slot upon submission of three shows for cablecast in compliance with the provisions outlined in the Show Agreement. Series time slots are available for shows which are cablecast on the same day, and time on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis.

Live Series and Non-Series Shows
5.No Policy

Showcase Show Scheduling
6.A Showcase is a collection of shows scheduled and promoted around a particular theme or topic which usually plays throughout a day, week or month, and which reflects a diversity of a local producer's work.

Show Content Feedback
7.The MCTV 15 Access channel will periodically carry announcements advising viewers with questions or comments about the public access shows to call or write MCTV 15. Producers and other members of the general public may make comments concerning programming on the MCTV 15 channel by telephone, email, and website or in person. Staff will communicate viewer response to the show provider and will also keep records of same at the MCTV 15 Access Center.

Show Content and Complaints
8.Staff will document show content complaints in writing and maintain files of same. Viewer complaints will be communicated to the show provider. In the event that the complaining party threatens litigation, subsequent play of the show will be postponed until compliance with the Show Contract can be verified. The producer agrees on the Show Contract to make the show available for investigation by public access staff. Incidents involving threats of litigation will be reported to the Board of Directors.

Technical Standards and Production Requirements
9.Shows must conform to the MCTV 15's technical standards.

Promotions and Credits
10.Show credits are selected by the producer or provider with limitations.

Archives
11.An archive of exemplary public access shows will be maintained at the MCTV 15 studios for subsequent channel playback. Criteria for selection will be posted in access center.

Satellite Shows
12.Satellite shows are defined as shows that are picked up from a satellite down link and carried live on the MCTV 15 Access channel. Any and all live satellite programming must meet the same standards under the warranty section found under Section II. above; satellite programming that contains commercials or spaces for commercial insertion may not be cablecast. Shows that have been recorded earlier on tape from a satellite feed can be presented to the MCTV 15 Programming Department in the same manner as all other tapes are presented, and do not fall under the provisions in this section.

Funding Access Shows and Underwriting
13.Producers are encouraged to seek funding for the production of public access shows. Likewise, community groups are encouraged to develop supportive relationships with certified producers to promote development of access programming. However, the MCTV 15 access resources will charge different rates depending on show funding and whether it's for commercial purposes or personal gain. Any show that's developed using MCTV 15 access resources that does not result in that show being cablecast on MCTV 15 Access channel within six months of the first production date will be considered as commercial. Any show that gets shown on MCTV 15 Access channel and was developed with a total combined funding in excess of $750/show will be considered as funded. All productions are subject to MCTV 15 rate sheet.

Underwriting
14.Underwriting is defined as financial or in-kind support received by a producer to facilitate their expression and use of the access channel. Underwriting is permitted, with the understanding that it constitutes a donation to support the producer's work and is not in return for use of cablecast time or access resources.

Electronic Bulletin Board
15.The Electronic Bulletin Board is available to the community for public service announcements (PSA's), non profit messages, and promotion of shows scheduled on the MCTV 15. Siskiyou County organizations and individuals may submit PSA's to promote local events and services.

Website
16.MCTV 15 staff will maintain a publicly available website. The site will include information about MCTV 15 Access services and access related activities on a bulletin board in the access center. Special comments areas of the website will be available to all web visitors. Privileged access will be granted to credited producers and providers. Content guidelines within the Show Agreement for use of cablecast time will be applied to product representation. A section of the website will be reserved for access related messages to and from access producers.

Stipends, Per Diem and Other Reimbursements

1.MCTV 15 is a non-profit organization that relies on the volunteer efforts of the community that it serves. MCTV 15 does not provide compensation or reimbursement to volunteers with the following exceptions: Professional and Production Services, Crew Members, Transportation Costs, Lodging, Producer Discretion, Multiple productions in a day, travel, Board of Directors discretion.

Rules Violations and Loss of Privileges

1.To ensure that the equipment remains in good working order and that it and cablecast time is available to all producers and community members, definitions of major and minor violations have been established. In addition, any activity not in compliance with any of the above Procedures is considered a violation.

Amendments to the Rules and Procedures

1.The MCTV 15 Board of Directors is the responsible body for approval of the Access Rules and Procedures. Recommended amendments to the Rules and Procedures may be submitted in writing to the MCTV 15 Operations Manager or the MCTV 15 Board of Directors. The Board may consider changes to the Rules at any scheduled meeting of the full Board. A simple majority vote of the attending Board members constitutes approval of Rules changes.