L. A. City Council has seized control of the CITIZEN access cable tv channels.

Citizen public access is community and neighborhood TV. The federal govt. mandated this public TV, rightfully, years ago. This issue is being 'sand-bagged' by the LA govt officials who are trying to STOP citizen TV.
This issue should be wider publicized because it is just another restriction of community free speech, much like the new gestapo govt push to have the old ridiculously named 'fairness doctrine' re-insitutued on public radio. Let the people be heard and let 'public comment' on these issues happen at the city's committe hearings.

The L. A. City Council has seized control of the public access cable channels. Having conducted almost invisible public input and debate on 2007 state legislation that revised the City's franchising powers regarding public access requirements, this video reveals the City is going to take over control of the public channel operations and content.

http://www.fulldisclosure.net/Blogs/61.php

Under the City plan, Time Warner will apparently go unchallenged regarding the closing of all fourteen public access cable studios and channels previously required under cable franchise agreements. Instead, the city is opting for only four government controlled channels. Local public cable television producers who oppose the city's seizure of the channels are looking into to legal action to restore the 14 public channels.

DAVID R. HERNANDEZ, PRES. L. A. PUBLIC ACCESS COALITION
Contact: 818-448-3403
http://www.savepublicaccess.wordpress.com/

CITY ATTORNEY TO FILE FOR INJUNCTION?
According to David R. Hernandez, President of the L.A. Public Access Coalition (LAPAC) the group is calling for the City Council to continue public access channels and studios, as is, and have requested City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo to seek a Court Injunction under the authority of California Business and Professions Code 17200 to prevent closing down fourteen public access studios and channels on December 31, 2008 that are currently under operation of Time Warner Cable, until such time as the City has provided alternative and equal facilities in their place.

PUBLIC STUDIO CLOSURE UNETHICAL?
In a letter dated November 30, 2008 Hernandez contends "the action of closing fourteen public access studios offends public policy, is immoral, unethical, oppressive, unscrupulous and causes substantial injury to consumers who will be prevented from viewing independent programs on the City Public Access channels

STATE LAW CREATED LOOPHOLE
The controversy surrounding the Time Warner Cable plans to close all public access operations by December 31, 2008 stems from legislation (DIVCA) enacted in 2007 establishing a State Franchising system under the oversight of the California Public Utilities Commission whereby cable operators pay a franchising fee to the Cities in leiu of operating and maintaining the public access studios and channels.

L A PUBLIC ACCESS COALITION TESTIFYING AT HEARING
In addition to civic leader and Producer David Hernandez, some of the LAPAC group expected to attend and speak at the hearing are:
Shane Devins, Producer
Missy Woodward, Producer Critter Crusades
Sally Hampton, Civic Activist
Dr. Dan Wiseman, Producer Your Neighborhood Council
Charlie Mount Classic Arts Showcase
Leslie Dutton, Producer, Full Disclosure Network
Michael Cohen, Producer
Dr. Susan Block, Producer
Charlotte Laws, Producer
Elaine Brown, Producer
Lady Cage-Barile, Producer
Keith Hardine, Producer