Gov't Access Channel & Music Copyright

Adam Gold · March 1st, 2011, 01:58 PM

[Response is to descriptions of objectionable content on public access channel, since deleted by Chris as detailed below]

Yes, but there are no laws against any of that. The FCC is for Broadcast only, and has no jurisdiction over cable, and anyway they're only charged with trying to make sure broadcasters act in the public interest. They only act if there's a complaint and all they can do is refuse to approve a renewal of a broadcast license. And even that's debatable -- technically, they have no authority over content. The Telecommunications act of 1934, which created the commission, only gives them the right to administer the allocation of frequencies and spectrum issues.

You can do whatever you want on cable. Any restrictions are purely business decisions.

Steve Kalle · March 1st, 2011, 03:12 PM

Ah ha. I didn't realize the FCC had limits on its powers with what they have been doing the last several years ;)

Adam Gold · March 1st, 2011, 03:33 PM

Not to get too political, but it seems they don't realize it either....

Adam Gold · March 1st, 2011, 04:19 PM

[Response is to descriptions of objectionable content on public access channel, since deleted by Chris as detailed below]

The first amendment protects all speech, even odious stuff. Not just the stuff we agree with.

A privately owned channel has no obligation to air that stuff. But the Government can't tell you what you can say (with very limited exceptions -- "Fighting words," Yelling "Fire!" in a crowded theatre if there isn't actually a fire, etc).

This is veering into the political and I fear it will get removed, although I think this is a debate worth having.

Steve Kalle · March 1st, 2011, 04:24 PM

I don't think we are getting political. We are just discussing the laws that public access channels must follow and what they are allowed to air.

Adam Gold · March 1st, 2011, 04:28 PM

I agree with you. Many people have the wrong idea about the First Amendment and exactly what it protects.

Chris Hurd · March 1st, 2011, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Kalle

Well, after reading about Tampa's public access channel (TBCN), I wonder if there are ANY rules and laws our channel must follow...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Kalle

In the case of TBCN aka 'Speak up Tampa Bay', I cannot believe they & the ACLU won the lawsuit forcing the county to fund ($350,000+/yr) this channel...

Steve, I can appreciate your frustration, however there are certain words and terms
used in your posts with which I do not want this site to be associated in Google
search results.

In other words, if something makes you cringe, don't post about it to this forum,
because most likely it makes me cringe as well. The descriptions in your two
posts involve subject matter that I don't want to see here. Please complain
about it elsewhere on the Web. Thanks for understanding.

Thread stays open... for now. This forum is intentionally limited to the subjects
of digital video content creation and technical Q&A -- nothing more than that.
It's none of this site's business if you saw something gross on cable access.
I'm not interested in that type of post for DV Info Net. Thanks again,

Steve Kalle · March 1st, 2011, 07:21 PM

Sorry about that Chris. Won't happen again :)

March 1st, 2011, 01:58 PM	#31
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	Re: Gov't Access Channel & Music Copyright [Response is to descriptions of objectionable content on public access channel, since deleted by Chris as detailed below] Yes, but there are no laws against any of that. The FCC is for Broadcast only, and has no jurisdiction over cable, and anyway they're only charged with trying to make sure broadcasters act in the public interest. They only act if there's a complaint and all they can do is refuse to approve a renewal of a broadcast license. And even that's debatable -- technically, they have no authority over content. The Telecommunications act of 1934, which created the commission, only gives them the right to administer the allocation of frequencies and spectrum issues. You can do whatever you want on cable. Any restrictions are purely business decisions. __________________ "It can only be attributable to human error... This sort of thing has cropped up before, and it has always been due to human error." Last edited by Adam Gold; March 1st, 2011 at 06:38 PM.

March 1st, 2011, 03:12 PM	#32
Steve Kalle Trustee Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,554	Re: Gov't Access Channel & Music Copyright Ah ha. I didn't realize the FCC had limits on its powers with what they have been doing the last several years ;)

March 1st, 2011, 03:33 PM	#33
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	Re: Gov't Access Channel & Music Copyright Not to get too political, but it seems they don't realize it either.... __________________ "It can only be attributable to human error... This sort of thing has cropped up before, and it has always been due to human error."

March 1st, 2011, 04:19 PM	#34
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	Re: Gov't Access Channel & Music Copyright [Response is to descriptions of objectionable content on public access channel, since deleted by Chris as detailed below] The first amendment protects all speech, even odious stuff. Not just the stuff we agree with. A privately owned channel has no obligation to air that stuff. But the Government can't tell you what you can say (with very limited exceptions -- "Fighting words," Yelling "Fire!" in a crowded theatre if there isn't actually a fire, etc). This is veering into the political and I fear it will get removed, although I think this is a debate worth having. __________________ "It can only be attributable to human error... This sort of thing has cropped up before, and it has always been due to human error." Last edited by Adam Gold; March 1st, 2011 at 06:40 PM.

March 1st, 2011, 04:24 PM	#35
Steve Kalle Trustee Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,554	Re: Gov't Access Channel & Music Copyright I don't think we are getting political. We are just discussing the laws that public access channels must follow and what they are allowed to air.

March 1st, 2011, 04:28 PM	#36
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	Re: Gov't Access Channel & Music Copyright I agree with you. Many people have the wrong idea about the First Amendment and exactly what it protects. __________________ "It can only be attributable to human error... This sort of thing has cropped up before, and it has always been due to human error."

March 1st, 2011, 07:21 PM	#38
Steve Kalle Trustee Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,554	Re: Gov't Access Channel & Music Copyright Sorry about that Chris. Won't happen again :)