Episcopal Press and News
Release on Cable Television, NCC
Diocesan Press Service. February 14, 1972 [72014]
(The release below, issued by the NCC, may be of interest to you. The possibilities of cable television as a means of mass communication are being explored and debated in many circles. )
NEW YORK, N.Y. , Feb. 7 -- If cable television is to realize its potential of bringing about a new era of diversity and mass participation in TV and radio, providing among other benefits a means of churches communicating with the community, and of programming possibilities for minorities, it will require an informed and active citizenry.
This is the premise of a new Cable Information Service recently launched by the Broadcasting and Film Commission of the National Council of Churches according to an announcement by the Rev. William F. Fore, executive director. The service has two components: a monthly digest Cable Information, covering all aspects of cable TV development, and a consultant service.
The new Cable Information Service is a project under the supervision of the Rev. S. Franklin Mack, formerly executive director of BFC and for the past seven years deputy director of the Office of Communication of the United Church of Christ.
The UCC Office of Communication has played a leading role in helping establish the legal right of the public to participate in decisions affecting the development of mass communications.
A free sample copy of the February issue of Cable Information is now in the mails. Beginning with the March issue, the publication will be mailed first class to subscribers at a yearly rate of $10. There will be 11 issues annually, with a combined July - August issue.
The project's consultant service is available by correspondence, telephone or interview, Mr. Mack said.
"This new project is a service to church-related and secular community organizations, and to individual concerned citizens and community leaders," he said.
"We will gather, digest and disseminate information on CATV legislation, regulation and franchising trends. At this moment in history it is important that the community should have a watchdog committee to see that the city fathers do not sell it short through a long-term franchise that does not protect the community's future needs," said Mr. Mack.
"We will report on advisory services available to citizen groups; on current activities of national agencies involved in ownership, sale of equipment and services. Suggestions for effective use of owned and operated, and public access channels, will be covered."
Cable TV was born in the Pennsylvania mountains in the late 40's as a device for getting a clear picture to home screens through a master antenna which picked signals off the air and distributed them to homes through coaxial cables.
For a decade CATV continued as a service to subscribers in isolated communities where reception was difficult. Then business men began to wire towns and cities where reception was satisfactory but viewers wanted to receive more stations than those licenced in their area.
Cities began to welcome cable TV as a source of revenue through franchise agreements for cable laying. And community leaders began to see its possibilities in serving the public interest in a wide variety of ways. Among these are:
o Revitalizing neighborhoods in large urban areas through communication.
o Providing minority-majority dialogue in seeking solution to common problems.
o Bringing educational opportunities to both children and adults in their homes.
o Affording individuals and organizations a means of getting their message to the community.
o Creating a link between the unemployed and job opportunities.
o Disseminating health information from hospitals and clinics.
o Permitting voters to become acquainted with candidates for local office and their platforms.
o Ending channel scarcity and bringing about creative programming of local origin.
In the dream department are drastic changes which could come with development of ever more sophisticated equipment. Some of these dreams envision city populations dispersed through rural areas, with much business and education today conducted outside the home tomorrow taking place within it through home communication facilities.
Whether either the more immediate possibilities or the ultimate dreams are realized depends in large measure, Mr. Mack believes, on the willingness of individuals and organizations, including church groups, to become informed, stay alert to developments, and act on the initiatives which are theirs.