THE PUBLIC ACCESS CHANNEL ASSOCIATION AUSTRIA

THE PUBLIC ACCESS CHANNEL : REGULATION AND ORGANIZATION

“ In the past I have watched TV quite a lot, but now I hardly have time to because I produce it myself.” This is what Uwe, a young worker from Dortmund, says. In his case a dream has come true.

But he is still wearing his helmet and jacket as he walks through the machine-tool factory. He has kept his job, but his life has changed radically. Uwe has become quite popular in Dortmund and its surroundings as he is known for producing a local sport programme which he himself presents. It is possible for every inhabitant of over 70 towns in Germany to fulfill such a dream.

What has happened in Germany?

There are quite a few Public Access Channels in Germany which can also be found in various other countries. They offer the population the possibility of broadcasting self-made contributions on, exclusively for this purpose, created TV channels, free of charge. Since the introduction of cable television there is enough capacity. If this would be created in Austria there would be a Public Access Channel and not just ORF, ZDF, SAT1, DSF (German sport programme), Euronews, MTV and the shopping channel HOT. Austrians or people living here, regardless of job, education, or financial situation, could actively participate in the creation of a TV channel.

How are these Public Access Channels organized ?

They are a form of local media. The programmes are broadcast in a city, in parts of a city or in a local community. Everyone who lives or works within the respective borders of an area is entitled to show their contributions on the Public Access Channel.

In addition to that the infrastructure which the production of TV-programmes requires, is available for free. This simply means that the users of the Public Access Channel are offered video cameras, editing rooms as well as a television studio for live broadcasting which is equipped with three 3-chip studio-cameras and a video control room. The communication assistant will advise and help the users but will refrain from influencing the contents of the programmes in any kind of way.

The users are responsible for the content and presentation of their programme. It will only be checked if, at the beginning of each contribution the user`s name and address has been included. But apart from that there are absolutely no topical or formal restrictions as to the contents of the programme. Of course established laws are not to be violated, commercial advertising is strictly prohibited and copyright should be respected.

In the classical model of the Public Access Channels the programmes are broadcast in the sequence of first in / first served. The first one to submit a completed contribution is also the first who can choose one of the free transmission slots. There is no programme schedule and there are no editorial decisions. Current contributions or special themes though will sometimes get priority.