IMPORTANT HEARING: SUPPORT FREE PUBLIC MEDIA

Rooftop Films has a TV show on Manhattan Neighborhood Network, and the fate of our show, and of community media in New York City, is at stake. As you may know, MNN, the Public Access Television Center in Manhattan, like other Public Access TV centers operate through the local franchise renewal process. MNN is financially supported by Time Warner Cable and RCN Cable, under a franchise agreement with the City of New York. There are nine cable franchises in the City covering all five boroughs. These franchises agreements all expire in 2008. This year in 2008, the City of New York will be renewing the hugely lucrative cable television franchises across all five boroughs of the city.

These renewals occur only once every ten years and impact video, Internet and telephone services to all eight million residents of New York City. As the largest and most important media market in the country, and arguably the world, these broadband deals will have far-reaching consequences for the very structure and character of the mass media nationwide and, indeed, for American democracy itself.

WE NEED YOU to come out to Thursday, FEB. 7th’s
CABLE FRANCHISE RENEWAL HEARING!

As part of the Franchise renewal process between the City of New York and Time Warner Cable, a public hearing will be held to allow NYC residents an opportunity to voice their views and concerns regarding the cable franchise we will all be living with for the next 10 to 15 years.
 
We are asking organizations and community producers to come out and testify to the importance of MNN and Public Access’s media resources to your local community, constituents and organization.  

We want public officials to know that a diverse array of local organizations use Public Access’s channels and resources to bring information, education and entertainment to other New Yorkers.  It is extremely important that our public officials hear loud and clear that Public Access provisions are critically important to our community and that continued and expanded support for the needs and interests of Manhattan residents must be included in any franchise agreement that is reached. Your voice is critical!

WHAT: CABLE FRANCHISE RENEWAL HEARING TO DETERMINE THE NEXT 10-15 YEARS OF MNN & PUBLIC ACCESS TV IN NYC

WHEN: Thursday, February 7th, 2008 from 3pm-7pm
WHERE: Borough of Manhattan Community College
at the Richard Harris Terrace
199 Chambers Street (between Greenwich and West Streets), NYC. 
TRAINS: Take the A, B or 1 Train to Chambers Street
 
Even if you don’t intend on testifying please come down anyway to show your support!

For more info on the MNN franchise renewal campaign, go to:
www.mnnfranchisecampaign.org/