Accessing Public Television
Accessing Public Television
Content must be of local interest and local productions will be given priority.
Video formats must be VHS, SVHS, DVD, or MiniDV. We cannot accept VHS-C and Beta as we do not have the equipment to play these formats.
Content may be of any reasonable length and the accessor is responsible for all content.
The accessor will obtain all necessary approvals, clearances, and licenses before the program is submitted for cablecast. This includes, but is not limited to, approval by all persons appearing in the program; copyright owners, music licensing organizations, broadcast stations, networks, and/or sponsors; performers representatives; any other approvals necessary before transmission of said program material over Channel 22.
The FCC places the following guidelines on Public Access content:
o content should not be libelous or slanderous
o content should not be obscene as determined by community standards
o content should not promote gambling
o content should not promote a specific political candidate
o content should not contain any solicitation or appeal for funds for any purpose (unless specifically authorized by TLTPA)
o content should not contain material which may create an immediate danger or damage of property or injury to persons
o content should not contain material designed to promote the sale of commercial products and/or services
o audio and visual technical aspects must be of sufficient quality to broadcast
Guidelines and Rules
All equipment and facilities use must be for the purpose of preparing a program for cablecast on Channel 22 or training related to TLTPA certification and productions.
No material produced with public access equipment or facilities may be rented or sold or commercially distributed in any way.
All persons using public access equipment and facilities must be accessors certified for that equipment or facility.
Accessors may not represent themselves as employees, representatives, or agents of TLTPA or the Town of Taos, unless authorized to do so by TLTPA or the Town of Taos.
Accessor will be charged with replacement cost for damage to equipment or facilities. Accessors will not be charged for normal wear and tear.
All productions using Public Access equipment and/or facilities must comply with TLTPA Policies and Procedures.
The program must be for noncommercial purposes only and it must air on Channel 22.
Producers
The producer of an access program is responsible for all equipment or facilities under his/her use. A producer who allows other accessors to use equipment or facilities to produce material for his/her production will be held responsible for compliance with all public access channel rules.
Producers are responsible for seeing that all crew, talent, and guests adhere to all public access channel rules. Producers will be responsible for rules violations by guests and talent.
Producers are responsible for ensuring that production proposals are up-to-date and accurately reflect the program they are working on.
Producers are responsible for following the public access channel underwriting guidelines.
Producers are responsible for all appropriate forms for production and must abide by the conditions stated therein.
Scheduling
All scheduling must be done through the TLTPA manager or the manager's designee.
To schedule equipment and/or facilities use the accessor must have completed a preproduction meeting, production proposal forms, and certification for use of equipment and facilities.
All scheduling and use of equipment is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Portable equipment (cameras, tripods, sound, lighting, hard drives) may be checked out for a maximum of 24 hours, except on weekends when equipment may be checked out from Friday to Monday. Check out of equipment may be extended depending on need and approval of management.
Producers are responsible for following TLTPA procedures and signing appropriate forms.
Check-In and Check-Out
Accessors/Producers accept full responsibility for any damage to equipment and/or facilities. Equipment will be verified as working before and after use.
All equipment must be checked out and checked in at the scheduled time.
Accessor will not allow noncertified people to use TLTPA equipment.
Lateness and Cancelations
Accessor agrees to notify TLTPA of any cancelations at least 2 hours in advance of scheduled reservation. Less than 2 hours will be considered a no-show.
Any accessor who is more than 30 minutes late for an appoitment will be considered a no-show and the reservation of equipment will be canceled.
Underwriting Guidelines
A producer may give credit for donations made to his/her program but may not promote or advertise any goods or services.
Underwriting credits may be placed at the beginning or the end of the program and may consist of character-generated message, graphics, or voiceover. The credit must state only the donating business or individual. No phone numbers or addresses may be given, unless the underwriter is one of several businesses with the same name, in which case it may be identified with the street name.
Suspension of Privileges, Penalties, and Sanctions
Violations of these rules, regulations, and guidelines may result in immediate suspension of all accessor privileges or sanctions for up to one year. Causes for suspension of privileges or sanctions include, but are not limited to:
o use of equipment or facilities for producing material not intended for use on Channel 22
o use of equipment to produce material offered for sale, rental, or other commercial distribution
o use of equipment or facilities for producing obscene or pornographic material
o misuse, abuse, theft, or vandalism of equipment and/or facilities by any accessor or guest
o making false or misleading statements on any TLTPA document, including failure to provide current and correct
address (mailing and/or physical), telephone number, and other necessary contact information
o use of equipment of facilities by a noncertified accessor
o chronic or willful disregard for TLTPA policies, procedures, rules, and guidelines
o use of alcohol or possession of illegal drugs or controlled substances by accessor while using equipment or facility
o failure to follow underwriting guidelines
Penalties and Sanctions
Penelties and sanctions are enforced at the discretion of the station manager or his designee. Accessor will be informed of any violation by the station manager in person and/or by phone, e-mail, and/or certified letter.
o First violation will result in a warning.
o Second violation will result in a suspension of all accessor privileges for one month.
o Third violation will result in a suspension of all accessor privileges for a period of three months up to one year, and the accessor will have to be recertified before reinstatement of privileges is granted.
o Repeated violations after a sanction could result in permanent loss of accessor privileges.
Filing a Grievance
The process for filing a grievance regarding TLTPA rules, regulations, guidelines, and procedures, or for contesting a suspension of privileges or a sanction is as follows:
1. Accessor must present his or her complaint or request in writing and schedule an appointment with the station manager.
2. Should the problem remain unresolved, the accessor should request an appointment with a TLT board member and the station manager.
3. If the issue is still unresolved, the accessor may request that the TLT board call a special meeting at which the entire board will hear the accessor's complaint and reach a decision on how the issue may be resolved. The decision of the board will be final.
The above can be found at www.taostv.org/accessing.html, by calling 751-1222, or by e-mailing e-mailing us.
or call 751-1222
Thank you!
