Communication is a right, not a privilege. Long live, community media!
Why are Public Access TV stations, like Somerville Community Access Television, exist and why community media outlets are important to local democracy?
SCATV represents Somerville, in every shape and form, from its arts & culture shows created by Somerville Arts Council to political shows hosted by Greater Somerville to grassroots journalism like the shows produced by Somerville Neighborhood News.
As indicated in Pew Research Journalism Project's State of the News Media 2014, "stations owned by the same company now routinely share news content regionally or groupwide. In some of the largest markets, local news services produce coverage for two or more competing stations." What does this tell you about the importance of keeping the airwaves open to the public? SCATV and other community media centers began as organization's built to empower the community speak and share their views. The notion of Freedom of Speech is at the cornerstone of our democracy and at the mission of places like SCATV.
It is important to not take this access for granted. The training that is provided to community members in media production and messaging is crucial for individuals to express themselves. Where else can you go for affordable, accessible and professional media arts training?
Here are two good resources further reinforcing why local community media outlets are vital for sustaining the community voice and one of the last frontiers for hyperlocal news, politics, arts, cultural and event programming.:
- Free Press emphasizes the need to preserve diversity in voices and diversity in media ownership
- Poynter addresses that News gets less local as station owners get bigger
Communication is a right, not a privilege. Long live, community media!
