Petition to Reform Public, Education and Government Access Oversight Board (PEGAOB)
Petition summary and background
The Mayor of Albany and the Albany Common Council find and declare that it is in the public interest of the citizens of the City of Albany to establish a board (PEGAOB) to oversee implementation of PEG (Public, Education and Government) access, a cable television studio located in the basement of the Albany Public Library, to promote the creativity of the people in the city.
The purpose of the Oversight Board is to:
- Assist in the development of public, education and government access television in the City including by promoting the use of the public studio to citizens and groups throughout the City;
- Oversee the cable television public access facility/studio and assist the Public Access Coordinator, whom shall be responsible for the day to day operation of the public access facility/studio;
- Review memorandums of understanding between the city and relevant entities to assure implementation of PEG access.
*** Part 38: Public, Education and Government Access Oversight Board (PEGAOB); Article XLIX General Provisions; § 42-375 Purpose; scope of authority ***
Let it be known that the following issues exist:
- The television studio for Channel 18 Albany has now been 'closed' or 'dark' for several months since May 31st with no end in sight;
- Current television show producers for Channel 18 are no longer able to record and produce new programming, which has resulted in rerun after rerun being shown on Channel 18. There is additional older and in some cases rarely if ever seen programming available (stored on the server unit) but an experienced scheduler just needs to select them to air;
- The existing video and audio equipment in the studio needs major upgrades in order to provide better quality and more reliable programming. However, studio needs are 'minor' compared to major needs in City Hall. The funds currently exist to do all of these locations with new modern hardware/software, it's just not being spent and must be;
- Concerned citizens have been in attendance at Common Council meetings voicing their concerns, however no action is taking place to resolve said issues;
- The hiring of a Public Access Coordinator to manage the studio needs to be a top priority, however the PEGAOB is not taking this matter seriously; and
- It is necessary to have more than one Public Access Coordinator available (two part-time positions or one full time and one part time or two full time and, in time, more staff members) in order to prevent another shutdown of the studio for several months;
- Additional funding in the 2018 CIty of Albany budget is necessary ($12 to 28K additional, on top of the current $15 & $20Ks ($35k total)).
We, the undersigned, are united and concerned citizens who urge our leaders to act now to reform the current PEGAOB and, if necessary, eliminate and replace current members whose action impede the progress of Channel Albany. We feel that the PEGAOB is in direct violation of the board’s mission, which is evidenced by its gross mismanagement and poor oversight of this extremely important and necessary public service.
Updates
October 23, 2017
The studio remains dark and our local producers are still locked out of the space that belongs to this community. I have been reaching out to the Council members repeatedly to demand answers about this silence. They must understand that we are watching and that we expect them to honor the mission of this board.
October 23, 2017
Seeing the momentum behind this demand to reopen our studio reminds me why I started fighting for this space in the first place. My own work and the projects of my neighbors have been silenced for too long by this gridlock.
29 Comments
Maintaining healthy regional Public Access stations are vital, particularly now that local newspapers are vanishing, in assuring the democratic health of all communities. New York State needs to now to pay much more attention to this and support public access stations on viable manner similar to how the state of Massachusetts has supported its regional public access station.
The studio being closed as long as it has been has impaired the public's right to free speech and to record necessary shows for the public good.
The current chair and the structure that keeps people like in in charge must be reformed if our institutions are to have any value in the 21st century.
The citizens of Albany deserve better community media! Professionals with proven experience in running Public, Educational and Government Access stations must be hired to accomplish bringing operations up to snuff. This must become a priority! End the deadlock, apathy, and remove all inhibitions to progress! Please! Anthony Arrien - Chairman, Alliance for Community Media of New York
Actual users of the studio, show producers, know what's needed more than anyone else. Currently there are only 2 on the PEGAOB of 11.
What do we want.......peg access....when do we want it? Now!
As a producer of educational programming, I know it is a moral imperative that residents have access to educational media. Time to stand up, be heard, and be noticed!
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Petition to Reform Public, Education and Government Access Oversight Board (PEGAOB)
Petition summary and background
The Mayor of Albany and the Albany Common Council find and declare that it is in the public interest of the citizens of the City of Albany to establish a board (PEGAOB) to oversee implementation of PEG (Public, Education and Government) access, a cable television studio located in the basement of the Albany Public Library, to promote the creativity of the people in the city.
The purpose of the Oversight Board is to:
- Assist in the development of public, education and government access television in the City including by promoting the use of the public studio to citizens and groups throughout the City;
- Oversee the cable television public access facility/studio and assist the Public Access Coordinator, whom shall be responsible for the day to day operation of the public access facility/studio;
- Review memorandums of understanding between the city and relevant entities to assure implementation of PEG access.
*** Part 38: Public, Education and Government Access Oversight Board (PEGAOB); Article XLIX General Provisions; § 42-375 Purpose; scope of authority ***
Let it be known that the following issues exist:
- The television studio for Channel 18 Albany has now been 'closed' or 'dark' for several months since May 31st with no end in sight;
- Current television show producers for Channel 18 are no longer able to record and produce new programming, which has resulted in rerun after rerun being shown on Channel 18. There is additional older and in some cases rarely if ever seen programming available (stored on the server unit) but an experienced scheduler just needs to select them to air;
- The existing video and audio equipment in the studio needs major upgrades in order to provide better quality and more reliable programming. However, studio needs are 'minor' compared to major needs in City Hall. The funds currently exist to do all of these locations with new modern hardware/software, it's just not being spent and must be;
- Concerned citizens have been in attendance at Common Council meetings voicing their concerns, however no action is taking place to resolve said issues;
- The hiring of a Public Access Coordinator to manage the studio needs to be a top priority, however the PEGAOB is not taking this matter seriously; and
- It is necessary to have more than one Public Access Coordinator available (two part-time positions or one full time and one part time or two full time and, in time, more staff members) in order to prevent another shutdown of the studio for several months;
- Additional funding in the 2018 CIty of Albany budget is necessary ($12 to 28K additional, on top of the current $15 & $20Ks ($35k total)).
We, the undersigned, are united and concerned citizens who urge our leaders to act now to reform the current PEGAOB and, if necessary, eliminate and replace current members whose action impede the progress of Channel Albany. We feel that the PEGAOB is in direct violation of the board’s mission, which is evidenced by its gross mismanagement and poor oversight of this extremely important and necessary public service.
Updates
October 23, 2017
The studio remains dark and our local producers are still locked out of the space that belongs to this community. I have been reaching out to the Council members repeatedly to demand answers about this silence. They must understand that we are watching and that we expect them to honor the mission of this board.
October 23, 2017
Seeing the momentum behind this demand to reopen our studio reminds me why I started fighting for this space in the first place. My own work and the projects of my neighbors have been silenced for too long by this gridlock.
29 Comments
Having Channel Albany inactive and off air is sad and unacceptable. Our community needs their public access channel for so many reasons. One in particular is for creative and cultural output and expression. I co-run a show on Channel Albany that involves a large variety of local (and beyond) artists who make music and videos. It's exciting for this collection of various visuals, sounds, and more to broadcast and add culture to our interesting and diverse community. To showcase and inspire within a medium beyond just throwing more content on social media and the web. I really hope this gets resolved, and quickly, so I and the many of us who love this channel and community can have our public access back! Thank you!
Maintaining healthy regional Public Access stations are vital, particularly now that local newspapers are vanishing, in assuring the democratic health of all communities. New York State needs to now to pay much more attention to this and support public access stations on viable manner similar to how the state of Massachusetts has supported its regional public access station.
The studio being closed as long as it has been has impaired the public's right to free speech and to record necessary shows for the public good.
The current chair and the structure that keeps people like in in charge must be reformed if our institutions are to have any value in the 21st century.
The citizens of Albany deserve better community media! Professionals with proven experience in running Public, Educational and Government Access stations must be hired to accomplish bringing operations up to snuff. This must become a priority! End the deadlock, apathy, and remove all inhibitions to progress! Please! Anthony Arrien - Chairman, Alliance for Community Media of New York
Actual users of the studio, show producers, know what's needed more than anyone else. Currently there are only 2 on the PEGAOB of 11.
What do we want.......peg access....when do we want it? Now!
As a producer of educational programming, I know it is a moral imperative that residents have access to educational media. Time to stand up, be heard, and be noticed!
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Having Channel Albany inactive and off air is sad and unacceptable. Our community needs their public access channel for so many reasons. One in particular is for creative and cultural output and expression. I co-run a show on Channel Albany that involves a large variety of local (and beyond) artists who make music and videos. It's exciting for this collection of various visuals, sounds, and more to broadcast and add culture to our interesting and diverse community. To showcase and inspire within a medium beyond just throwing more content on social media and the web. I really hope this gets resolved, and quickly, so I and the many of us who love this channel and community can have our public access back! Thank you!