23 Feb 2007

Hello All who attended the 
Las Cruces Progressive Voters Alliance meeting last night

This was my first time attending a PVA gathering after hearing about it for the first time a few months ago during an interview for Radio Free Silver! with Grassroots Press editor and publisher Stephen Klinger. 

During my (oh so!) brief two minutes, I brought up two media related issues, 

• The upcoming FCC window for new full power non-commercial/ educational (NCE) radio broadcast licences and 
• Tthe potential for PEG - Public/Education/Government - Access Television in Las Cruces and throughout New Mexico. 

First - Window for FCC licences...

New Mexico is prime territory for obtaining these licences as there is so little content within such a narrow range and thus a clear need for providing programming for underserved communities. Also, in rural areas, there are few stations and very little conflict with existing frquencies and adjacent markets.

What does this mean?

To me, it means that any social activist worth his salt - regardless of issue - should dive in head first to try and get a license to bring community radio to their locale. This FCC window may not happen again for years and we owe it not only to ourselves, but to future activists and media justice reformers to get the licences while the getting is good so that our messages can be heard not just by the choir but by everyone. It is our responsibility to bring the full range of offerings to the marketplace of ideas so that in the future we aren't wringing our hands saying "if only we had a way to be heard, we could change the landscape and move our society toward justice and social advancement." Well, community radio can play a large part in that.

I strongly urge each of you and activists throughout New Mexico to SURGE toward applying for a license. The window is expected to open this spring so there is not much time.

Notwithstanding KRWG and KRUX, Las Cruces is not well served with regard to local news, discussion of the range of issues including matters of controversy, direct access by community members and organizations to the airwarves and broadcast resources, training in production, media literacy, content creation, and especially, progressive viewpoints.  A community  radio station can address these shortcomings.

The window is expected to open this spring, meaning... NOW!

So,
RUN, DON"T WALK to

• www.prometheusradio.org
• www.commonfrequency.org

and get informed NOW!  Both these organizations can provide the background info and guidance you need to prepare an application.  You might also want to take a peek at our fledgling effort in Silver City - Gila / Mimbres Community Radio.

If you are not part of a local non-profit, look about you and see which existing orgs will submit on your behalf WHILE YOU PROCEED with establishing a non-profit of your own with the sole purpose of operating the station and that can then assume full possession of the license later.

Imagine a New Mexico where the full range of ideas and public policy alternatives were available to ALL the population.  Sounds good, huh?

Second - Possibilities for more NM Public Access Television stations...

PEG - Public/Education/Government Access Television - is one of the most effective and cost-efficient methods for activists and non-profits to reach a mass audience and anywhere that has cable service can have a PEG station(s) yet there are only a handful of Public Access Television stations in NM.   Existing franchises may already have resources sitting dormant or ready to be transferred to a Public Access facility but these things require a demonstrated demand from the community that will move the local political bodies to respond positively.

Download a PDF copy of the Las Cruces cable franchise here.  

As a member of NMCCAT, I have reviewed the existing franchise for the city of Las Cruces.  It is very poorly drafted regarding support for public access.  While the language does mention public access, and could conceivably allow public acces to function, it was obviously not drafted with that intent.

The good news?

It expires in 2011 - only four short years ahead.

The cable franchise renewal process usually stirs from its crypt about two years before the expiration of the franchise.  That gives Las Cruces two years to educate itself on all things PEG, organize a 501(c)(3) with the mission of functioning as the manager of a PEG facility under contract with the city, martialing public support for such an undertaking and disposition of a public resource and wading into the renegotiating process as an interested party.

More Good News?

PEG is financed almost entirely from a budget provided by the city based on 5% of revenue from the cable company plus additional funding for start up/facility/equipment expenses that is also negotiated with the cable company.

So look around you.  Ask other media reformers, activists, and community groups of all stripes if they have considered joining forces to institute a vibrant and thriving PEG program in Las Cruces. It can be done!

I look forward to hearing your interest and feedback on this but also visit these pages  for information and insight into the Wonderful World of PEG.

Regards,

Kyle Johnson
rfs@radiofreesilver.com