Quote Unquote Community Media Center Press Release
To all supporters of community media:
Please send a letter of support on behalf of Quote…Unquote, which is facing a difficult battle with the City of Albuquerque. A sample template is available here.
Thank you, ACM Headquarters Staff
Media Release: October 31, 2011
City Threatens Shut Down of Free Speech Channel
ALBUQUERQUE, NM–On Friday, October 28, 2011, the City of Albuquerque announced its intention to end a 30-year relationship with the award-winning Public Access TV provider Quote-Unquote.
In a turnabout that will cost the City of Albuquerque $117,000 more than Quote-Unquote’s proposal, the City recommendation went to uPublicTV, which until now has yet to produce any broadcast content. For over a year, it has had the Educational Access Channel but has failed to activate any TV programming.
“We have legitimate concerns about the scoring process for this contract,” said Quote-Unquote Executive Director, Steve Ranieri. “Any logical person would question the decision to move away from a television station that is live now for an operator which will not have live programming for at least one year. New Mexican taxpayers and families should not tolerate going dark and eliminating free speech.”
“We have serious conflict of interest concerns with the City process,” says Quote-Unquote Board Member, Roger Finzel. “Among the myriad of flaws in the City’s process, there were people who scored the RFP’s that compete for the same funds as Quote-Unquote as employees of the City.”
High school sports have been covered for two years on Encantada TV Channel 26. This widely popular programming, contracted and distributed by Quote-Unquote, may go off the air. Some City Officials have said local High School Sports/Activities programming is not appropriate.
Allen Cooper, Quote-Unquote Board President, says “This is part of a national trend where municipalities are shutting down or slashing public access TV station budgets in an effort to stifle free speech.”
Quote-Unquote is in the process of appealing the City of Albuquerque’s proposal to award the public access television contract to uPublicTV. All contracts must be approved by the City Council.
If you want to help save public access in Albuquerque, there are five ways right now you can offer assistance.
1) Call your city councilor. City Council has the final say on all contracts. Look up your city councilor here at this website http://www.cabq.gov/council/
2) Attend the press conference QUQ is holding on Weds. Nov. 2 at noon. Bring your friends and family. Speak up to the press afterwards about why you support QUQ.
3) Attend the Monday, Nov. 7 City Council meeting and sign up for public comment. This will be in the Griegos Chambers of One Civic Plaze at 5pm.
4) If you cannot attend these meetings or you are based outside of Albuquerque, please email ejones@quote-unquote.org a short paragraph of support and/or testimonial for Quote Unquote Community Media Center.
5) Video tape your 1 minute testimonial and we will air it and put it on our website and/or fb page. Upload to Youtube and we can link to it, email ejones@quote-unquote.org.