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The CAT Brochure outlines the Regional Public Access meeting and festivities surrounding CAT's 25th Anniversary. Some of the individual presentations at the Conference are listed in a final section.

Technology Infrastructure:

Future Media Possibilities & Direction (Saturday, April 2, 11:00 a.m. –12:30 p.m.)

For the Technology Infrastructure Workshop, the Conference enlisted some of Fayetteville’s most experienced local telecommunications and educational professionals. Their daily work in our community helps define our local meaning for terms like “Community Media” and “Technology Infrastructure”, which are the focus of the Conference. Each of the panelists has long been involved in sorting out the social, commercial, legal, and political challenges arising from current rapidly changing telecommunications technology. Their expertise ranges from positions with large telecom companies to the demanding tasks of designing and putting this technology to work for business and industry , as well as for the non-profit and public-education systems in Fayetteville. Workshop discussion also will focus on the implications of the new technology for our own CAT television channel, as well as the companion educational and government access channels here in Fayetteville and in Northwest Arkansas.

Panelists include: Dr. Larry Long, Gary Cochran, Michelle Key, Rowland McKinney ?, Jeff Erf, Jeff Waits, and Jim Bemis, moderator.

The Workshop is divided into two sessions of 20 minutes each for panelists’ discussion only, followed by 15 minutes of audience question-and- answer for each of the two sessions. Initial focus is on the new technology and our converging national and international telecommunications industry, with a final session centering on the social, cultural, and political impacts of these technologies and conglomerate ownership patterns.

Some of the questions anticipated for discussion include: Proposed initial topics of discussion include wireless technologies that will change the scope of existing cellular phone and mobile data systems, such as VoIP ? (voice over IP); mergers of telecommunications corporations and concentrated ownership; carriers offering similar services but using different technology, such as current cable television, satellite and telephone services; and the pros and cons of community-owned cable and wireless broadband systems. Additionally, the panel will examine some of the observations of the City’s TTIP Task Force that has been examining similar issues. The Task Force’s charge has included:

· Reviewing the existing information technology and telecommunications infrastructure used by the city, available telecommunications services, rights-of-way management strategies, and telecommunications regulatory structure.

· Identifying the telecommunications needs of the community, (government, schools, business, public) and how to best meet those needs.

· Developing a Technology and Telecommunications Infrastructure Vision and Policies statement that provides direction for the plan and guides the implementation of telecommunications technologies in support of community interests, local governance, and consistent with the city's goals and guiding principles.

· Developing a comprehensive telecommunications strategy and regulatory framework plan to support a coordinated regional information infrastructure that provides accessible and affordable high-speed connectivity for citizens, public institutions, and businesses.

Conference attendees are being asked to participate in the Workshop, and the panel will encourage an active question and answer period built around attendees’ experiences.

Fayettteville citizens wishing to submit topics related to local telecommunications needs and interests can send comments to: nputjim@sbcglobal

	                CAT HISTORY

	The mission of Community Access Television is to
	make available a medium of communication that
	provides freedom of expression and community awareness
	for all local citizens.

In 1979 Doug Wilson, Attorney at Law and Director of “Ozark Legal Services” attended a meeting of the National Association of Community Access Television Stations. He learned that Federal law required every city with a cable system to provide Public, Educational, and Government channels upon request. When he returned to Fayetteville, Mr. Wilson called a meeting of local non-profits, including League of Women Voters and Ozark Guidance Center. Among those present were Norman DeMarco ?, U of A Drama Department, and Marion Orton. This committee appealed to the City Board and Warner Cable and was granted the authority to establish one station, public access. Since no funds were allocated, the group applied and received a Federal grant for equipment and Warner paid for operating expenses. Accordingly, Fayetteville Open Channel was born April 1, 1980.

	Fayetteville Open Channel (FOC) started in Fayetteville at a location on Dickson Street.  Then, in the late 1980s FOC moved to Locust Avenue. In April of 1992, FOC became Access 4 Fayetteville.  From the beginning board members were elected in order to have a cross section of the community represented, such as the retirement community, education, arts, government, and non-profits. The station then moved to 101 West Rock Street, a facility renovated with a $200,000 grant given by Warner Cable and $70, 000 grant for new equipment.  Two more channels were added at this time, Educational and Government in adherence to the PEG guidelines mandated by the Federal Communications Commission.  

	When Warner’s franchise was renewed in 1995, Access 4 became Community Access Television (CAT) and moved to channel 8.  The Cable Company said it would no longer give money for operating expenses, as it was no longer required by Federal legislation and then moved CAT to channel 18.  Therefore, the city began allocating operating expenses for public access via the 5% Franchise Fee from cable company profits in return for the cable system’s access to public rights of way to offer citizens of Fayetteville cable television.  The City Contract with CAT stipulates the organization supplement 25% of the amount received with fund-raisers.  CAT has fulfilled this requirement with fall-fundraising Telethons and our annual Freedom Festival.

	2005 is an important year for Fayetteville.  CAT is celebrating 25 years of “Community Building Through Media” as the only 24 Community Access Channel in the State of Arkansas. For over twenty years, access television has been the video fabric of Fayetteville, forever documenting for posterity the local arts, music, sports, plays, social issues, religious rallies, and history of the region.  Community Access Television is the video soap-box from which the public may exercise their first amendment right of freedom of speech, the foundation of our great country.

Click here to print a paper copy of the CAT conference registration.

Attach:CATConferenceRegistration.doc

VDA AESTHETICS AND THE "VALUE OF SHOCK"

by C.F. Roberts, Veteran CAT Producer and President of Video Independent Producers' Association

'On a Government Channel roundtable discussion ofObscenity and Broadcast Law two years ago, a CATveteran ? who had been critical of my productions in the past lashed out verbally. The discussion was, in part,driven by controversy drummed up over a live show somefriends and I had done. He was angered over the misconception that CAT's purpose was to (in his words)"promote shock value". "That's not what public accessis about," he exclaimed.'

This is true, of course. Public Access is a broad, open-ended autonomous zone there for him, me, the church on the corner, the little girl down the lane, struggling nonprofits and that wino in the alley.

Conversely, once an idea is birthed it belongs to the world and it takes on dimensions hitherto unexpected by some of its originators.

'Much of what gets stuck in my craw in suchdialogues is the overt (albeitpredictable) emphasis on "shock value"---a poor equalization concept that breaks anything one has to offer down to itssuperficial elements, and an assumed low commondenominator. It prompts some wags to proclaim that a project worked hard on by any number of people has nopurpose but to garner an empty reaction--usually thisassumption will (through ignorance or ulterior motive)ignore or dismiss all social, political and artisticcontent and all technique therein.'

'Critics, viewers and even friends would probably raise an eyebrow to know that I generally deplore the term "shock value". Applying the blanket term, one can reduce Howard Stern to "Shock Jock" and we lose sightof this guy being an innovator in the radio industry to whom everyone from Rush Limbaugh to cookie cutter morning zoo formats nationwide owe their collectivecareer. "Shock Rocker" Marilyn Manson's status as aniconoclastic performance artist challenging people to re-examine their social and philosophical conditioning is nullified. "Shock Cinema" auteur John Waters is notgiven his due for being a quirky and daring humorist who has been thumbing his nose at convention for decades.'

'Locally, what some will write off as "ShockVideo ?" can be razor-sharp satire, irreverent working class entertainment, volatile political commentary, guerilla art and filmmaking and a peek into segments of our community you may not have known were there. Provocative? Yes. Outrageous? Sometimes. Empty shock? Take a closer look.'

'"Shock", far from a be-all-end-all, is one toolin an artist's arsenal. The Dadaists knew it; Edward Albee knew it; The Vaudevillians, the Yippies and the Punk movement knew it. Comic and master semanticist George Carlin spelled it out perfectly in an interview several years ago. Shock is a synonym for surprise, and surprise is a central element in all comedy. Every comic hopes to "surprise" his audience.'

'I know few if any local producers whose primegoal is to offend. The VDA (Viewer Discretion Advised) producers are people who gravitate toward edgy, seamy or confrontational art, music and film. They are motivated to create in a similar vein. It isunderstood that such work won't be everyone's cup of tea, but as the creators are audience to others, so their own audiences form and grow.'

'The true "shock" is the much-ballyhooed diversity---and true diversity is deeper, wilder and stranger than the P.R. firms and real estate moguls would like you to believe. What's in your own back yard is sometimes more exotic than some folks are comfortable with.'

'A real sense of Community occurs when art and entertainment provocateurs find common ground with activists, muckrakers and concerned citizens in the Access sphere. The real shock, then, might be that we find a richly diverse and interdependent community after all.'

CAT Remembered

Richard S. Drake, President, Board of Directors Community Access Television

I remember watching public access in Fayetteville in the 1980s. I would watch Cathy Pierce sing, and the short films of Bob Nelson. I watched the issues of the day - both local and national - debated. I'd watch people in my community sit in front of a camera and talk about matters which were close to their hearts. It was First Amendment television in its truest form - ordinary men and women talking about their lives, celebrating the freedoms we enjoy here in the United States.

One show I particularly enjoyed was a call-in show, hosted by Peter Harkins. Sitting on the set, next to a desk with a typewriter, he would take any and all calls, talking about anything the callers wanted to talk about.

Peter Harkins is the reason that I am involved with public access. In The summer of 1991, while covering the Washington County Quorum Court for the Grapevine, a local alternative paper, I asked the Fayetteville Open Channel Producer (who was taping the meeting to be shown on FOC) why there were no call-in programs on any more.

"Would you like to do one?" he asked. Egos rush in where angels fear to tread; I was hooked. After a time I graduated from just being an on camera host to FOC board member, to producer and later to a workshop instructor.

There has not been a day since then when I have not loved the world of public access. Once you see how public access can touch a community, it is impossible to remain neutral.

In the early days, public access was provided by Fayetteville Open Channel, which went on the air April 1, 1980, cable casting from a location on Dickson Street. Then, as now, most of the programming was provided by local citizens. And then, as now, the programming was fueled by the passion and imagination of local producers.

Though Fayetteville Open Channel gave way to Access 4 Fayetteville, which later changed its name to Community Access Television, the mission has remained the same. For a quarter of a century, Fayetteville's public access channel has served as a regional arts, religious, music, educational, entertainment and public affairs channel for Northwest Arkansas.

It has been an exciting journey over the past 25 years. And those 25 years have forged a bond between the citizens of this community unlike other communities.

Every community is a rich tapestry of life; public access allows us all to fully see that tapestry in all of its diversity. Through public access, viewers can see the views of others in the community. They become aware of the concerns of their neighbors, and discover parts of their town that are forgotten or glossed over.

We have seen how working class candidates and political activists have successfully used public access in order to reach out to voters. It is the great equalizer in a field in which those with the most money can buy the most air time. And as opposed to commercial stations, where a few scant minutes might be spent discussing important issues, matters can be debated at length on public access.

Our producers have come from all over Washington County, and from all Walks of life. From young teenagers to retired folk, from factory workers to attorneys, thousands of men and women have taken the classes and learned how to make their own programs. And they will all tell you the same thing -it's a lot easier than they thought it would be!

And although things have changed technologically since the 1980s, the Same passion and imagination still drives those who provide our programming. Itis still the perfect venue for those who want to sing a song, tell a story,recite a poem, or produce a documentary about their community. It is stilla great teaching tool, or a great place to show your church service, or talk about social issues.

In a time when political and religious differences seem to be driving a wedge between many Americans, it is heartening to walk in the doors of any public access station in the United States and see folks who may be miles apart in their beliefs put all of that aside in order to help each other in the studio, or help edit their programs.

It is impossible to be cynical about the future of this country when you experience these things. am proud to be part of public access in Fayetteville, and proud of Fayetteville - both the city government and local supporters - for helping to keep it alive for a quarter of a century.

I believe that one day all of the cities in our area will have public access, either Community Access Television or their own local station, devoted to the free speech rights of their citizens. Even before I came to be involved with public access, and was just watching it, I realized that we can learn a lot from people in our own community.

One day soon, other cities in Northwest Arkansas will learn the same lesson, and revel in the diversity of their own communities.