President's Message | July 14, 2020

Hometown Media Awards Recap

 

Major kudos go to everyone who made last week’s Hometown Awards Watch Party a success – Deb Vinsel, Stephanie Purcel, Kim Gilsrud, Alease Annan, Michele Alimoradi, Tony Campos, Scott Mercer and Jena Arcangel Miller all worked to make the party a fun and meaningful experience. 

You can take a look at this year’s winners on our website. Please download the awards presentation if you want to air it on your channels, and feel free to reach out to the winners if you want to air their work – it’s on the whole compelling, meaningful, fun and entertaining.   

Take some inspiration in the work you’re doing now and helping others in your community to produce – because we want to see it in the 2021 Hometown competition!  Now’s the time to think about works that deserve recognition on a national level.   

 

FCC Open Meeting Thursday, July 16

 

We’re monitoring what the FCC will be doing about Leased Access rates at their open hearing on Thursday, July 16.   

The rationale for Leased Access on cable systems is different than that for PEG channels, but the proposed ruling on the issues responds to the same talking points that the cable industry has used in case after case involving community channels – that the industry’s First Amendment rights are being trampled by the local producers and local channels. 

ACM and NATOA have argued in the proceeding that it’s not the role of the FCC to act as a judge on constitutionality issues.  We’ll give you an update after the meeting.

 
Matt Sullivan

My congratulations to Matt Sullivan for the recognition for the Emerging Leader Award this last week. Matt cares very deeply about his work and his colleagues across the country. It is a joy to work with him advocating on the behalf of stations. I’m looking forward to what lies ahead!  

Here’s to a great week!

 
Mike Wassenaar
President & CEO
The Alliance for Community Media