Find Your Voice on Community TV: June 2008

Monday, June 30, 2008

U.S. Court of Appeals has ruled.

This morning the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit turned down a petition by the Alliance for Community Media, Alliance for Communications Democracy, NATOA, National League of Cities, National Association of Counties and the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and by other PEG organizations, local governments and cable operators seeking to overturn regulations adopted by the FCC in March 2007 designed to ease the ability of telephone companies to get cable franchise.

The decision represents a loss for the public interest served by PEG and local franchising. While the decision affirms the FCC’s finding that capital costs required by a franchise to be paid for PEG access facilities are exempted from the definition of franchise fees (as to which a maximum 5% of gross revenues can permissibly be charged), the court makes clear that such capital costs are not limited to the construction of facilities but may also include equipment. The court’s decision also makes clear that nothing in the FCC’s order prevents local franchise authorities from increasing PEG obligations upon renewal of incumbent franchises.

Here is a link to the court’s decision: http://www.ca6.uscourts.gov/opinions.pdf/08a0230p-06.pdf.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Minnesota Minute

My Minnesota Minute
Online Video Contest

Minnesota Minute
The State of Minnesota’s 150th birthday celebration gets star treatment with "The Minnesota Minute," a series of 60-second TV spots commemorating Minnesota’s natural history. The 13-part series, written, directed and produced for the state's sesquicentennial by the University of Minnesota's Bell Museum of Natural History Emmy-award TV winning TV production unit, Bell Museum Productions, is scheduled to air in prime time slots on Minnesota television stations and
Twin Cities Public Television beginning May 11 through the sesquicentennial's finale August 30.

The series hosts a companion web site with video blog for amateur and professional filmmakers throughout the state to share their own environmental-related videos and stories.

Hey, Minnesotans, are you feeling inspired by the environment that surrounds you? Have
you created your Minnesota Minute yet? Be sure to upload your video soon! The random
drawing for prizes start in early May.

Join us as we celebrate 150 years of Minnesota history by taking a look at Minnesota’s natural places and asking how we can protect and restore these special places for the next 150 years. This contest accompanies The Bell Museum of Natural History’s Minnesota Minute television campaign which can be seen on TV beginning in May or at the Minnesota Minute website. These one minute videos tell the story of Minnesotans helping to preserve and restore Minnesota’s natural places.

Now it’s your turn!

Perhaps you know of a special place that needs help? Maybe you have a solution to share? Is there something you do as an individual or a community that makes a difference for the future of
Minnesota’s natural places and resources? Tell us what changes you think the next 150 years will bring to Minnesota’s environment. Grab a camera and start shooting!

HOW?
1) Go to www.minnesotaminute.org to see examples of Minnesota Minutes and to learn more about Minnesota’s environment.
2) Pick up a digital camera.
3) Create your own Minnesota Minute video.
4) Keep it short! (under five minutes)
5) Upload your finished video to YouTube.
6) Add the tag: MyMinnesotaMinute

LINKS
The Official Websitewww.minnesotaminute.orgThe Bell Museum of Natural Historywww.bellmuseum.orgThe Bell Museum’s YouTube profilewww.youtube.com/user/BellMuseumMinnesota Sesquicentennialwww.mn150years.org/

The contest is open to everyone. All who submit will be entered in a drawing to win a Sanyo Xacti digital video camera and other prizes. Submit videos any time now throughout the Summer (2008).