Hampton Branch Library
Support Austin Access
RECEIVED Wed., Aug. 25, 2004
Letter to the editor,
The freedoms of speech and press are two of the fundamental attributes of those who truly live in an emancipated society. Unfortunately, in recent times we have seen the creation of "free speech zones" to muzzle dissenting political points of view, while the corporate media has become increasingly manipulated and biased. Here in Austin we have been blessed with Austin Access Television, which allows Austinites of every race, creed, religion, sexual preference, etc. to voice their own point of view – Austin Access is one of the things that makes "Austin weird" and a great place to live.
Austinites need to know there is a move to limit public access and to censor and manipulate content. The first issue is the move to close down the local public channel (15) and turn it over to Time Warner and friends (Austin Music Network) as a commercial station. To turn this valuable station over to the corporate giant Time Warner is to say "goodbye" to this very valuable low-rung public station. Secondly, there is a motion presented by some of the board members of ACTV to monitor programming. This is particularly reprehensible!
I would encourage all Austinites to call and write the City Council and the board of ACTV to keep public airwaves public and to stop censorship!
The freedoms of speech and press are two of the fundamental attributes of those who truly live in an emancipated society. Unfortunately, in recent times we have seen the creation of "free speech zones" to muzzle dissenting political points of view, while the corporate media has become increasingly manipulated and biased. Here in Austin we have been blessed with Austin Access Television, which allows Austinites of every race, creed, religion, sexual preference, etc. to voice their own point of view – Austin Access is one of the things that makes "Austin weird" and a great place to live.
Austinites need to know there is a move to limit public access and to censor and manipulate content. The first issue is the move to close down the local public channel (15) and turn it over to Time Warner and friends (Austin Music Network) as a commercial station. To turn this valuable station over to the corporate giant Time Warner is to say "goodbye" to this very valuable low-rung public station. Secondly, there is a motion presented by some of the board members of ACTV to monitor programming. This is particularly reprehensible!
I would encourage all Austinites to call and write the City Council and the board of ACTV to keep public airwaves public and to stop censorship!
Sincerely,
George Humphrey
George Humphrey