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For Immediate Release
Press Conference Regarding Closure of SCAN TV
(Seattle, November 15, 2010) As announced last week, in response to the budget developed by Mayor Mike McGinn and being approved by the Seattle City Council, SCAN TV (Seattle Community Access Network) will cease operations on December 31, 2010.
However, SCAN is concerned because the Department of Information Technology (DoIT) of the City of Seattle does not have in place a transition plan to keep public access on the air until a new public access manager is selected.
Additionally, on Friday, November 12, the Seattle City Council approved a .2% increase in franchise fees for cable subscribers, yet less than half of that has a dedicated purpose (which is email). The remainder, estimated at $183,000 for 2011, is available for public access, in addition to the $100,000 in the 2011 budget. We ask, “why is the City Council increasing franchise fees without increasing support to public access.
SCAN will hold a press conference on Tuesday, November 16, at 10:00 a.m. at SCAN to answer questions from the press and community. The press conference will be held at SCAN, 1125 N. 98th St., Seattle, WA 98103.
Our viewers, producers, and community are demanding that we not give up the fight. As such, SCAN will address the following issues at the press conference:
Will public access and channels 77 (Comcast) and 23 (Broadstripe) go black on December 31st?
What can be done to ensure an adequately funded 6-month transition plan for public access?
This point is particularly important in light of the increase in franchise fees.
Ensure an open and transparent Community Engagement process to develop the Request for Proposal (RFP) for Public Access and the subsequent selection of a Public Access Manager, including asking that the Committee responsible for the development of the RFP and the selection of the Public Access Manager is reflective of the diverse communities of Seattle.
Make certain that the City Council has mapped out the policy guidelines that defines what Public Access is and how it will be operationalized in the City. Adequately fund any future Public Access Manager to demonstrate that the City values and is committed to free speech, local programming, and independent media.
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