10/09/1978 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Jon Silvermoon, 47 1/2 West 25th, attended school in East Lansing, . Michigan, where he found citizen and community organizations could produce programs for public broadcasting. He agreed with the points raised by Mr. Chalmers. He said TV can be more than just entertainment--it can be a very important communication mechanism. The better communication mechanisms available, the better people will deal with information and decision-making. He felt that to be the basis for a good democracy. If Eugene wants a first-rate system for a first-rate city, the Council should reject this ordi- nance and look again at the public access problem. Robert Zimmerman, 1765 W. 25th, felt the franchise would have an adverse affect on the general area. Teleprompter is now limiting service for those who do not want to pay. If Teleprompter were removed from the area, it might be possible for people in the commu- nity to receive, free of charge, channels from other areas. The City should not grant the franchise for Teleprompter to stay in business for 15 years. The franchise would further restrict people's chances of getting all networks free. He was in favor of letting Teleprompter stay in business, but did not feel the City of Eugene should be promoting that business. Loren Sears, 660 East 22nd, felt the Commission had not done its homework in that it had consulted with business and technology on the franchise, but had not consulted with the communications commu- nity. Technology people are not authorities on communications; experts in communications should be the ones consulted. In regard e to public access, he felt there should be more channels available and the public should decide how they are to be used. Further, the public should define how public broadcasting should be funded; that should not, be included in the franchise. Public access chan- nels should be dealt with outside of the franchise. Public hearing was closed, there being no further testimony presented. Shirley Swenson replied to the question of funding of Mr. Harold Horn. She said he was funded by the Ford and Markle foundations and did not work for the cable companies, but rather for local governments. She requested evidence to prove he was funded by the cable companies. Ms. Smith asked how directly the Commission dealt with the question of whether or not to enter into a 10- or 15-year franchise. Mr. Swanson said there was a motion made to change the term from 15 to 10 years but it had failed by a 5:2 vote. He said a franchise agreement could be for any number of years. However, he pointed out the 15-year franchise was about the only thing Teleprompter won during negotiations. It would provide them with stability and enable them to amortize; it is to their advantage, but not necessarily against the public interest. He felt the important question was whether or not the franchise has significant rview to protect the public interest, and he felt it did. e 10/9/78--7 ,~