Los Angeles CA Full Disclosure Network® presents a nine minute video news blog with Ed Asner who appears to attack the "progressive" members of the Los Angeles City Council and challenges them to stop the neglect of the public cable access television channels and to start funding the facilities here in the heart of the media world and Hollywood California. Asner, was especially critical of the City's practice of diverting the vast majority of $25 million in annual cable franchise fees, paid by the cable operators, into the city's general fund rather than supporting the public access channels, as it was intended
Ed Asner is considered one of the most prominent activist actors of his time. He has emerged as the second political powerhouse to voice concern about government actions that would destroy America's public access cable television system, joining Stanley Sheinbaum, the former UC Regent and President of the L A Police Commission who has been waging a campaign to convince the California Attorney General Edmund GO. Brown, to file for injunctive relief to stop the closing of the Time Warner Cable public access channels in Los Angeles.
Without opposition from the Mayor or the City Council of Los Angeles, Time Warner Cable has shut down public access cable channels in I.A. as of January 1, 2009. The City has failed to designate or provide for even one public access channel to fill the void, while approving a plan to retain four government controlled public cable channels.
Asner, who won seven Emmy awards for his “Lou Grant” TV series focusing on the news gathering and reporting operations, tells Full Disclosure of his concern that the “Progressive"members of the L. A. City Council have lost their way and forgotten about the importance of free expression and the public's right to public "venting" their issues of concern.
Comments to date: 33. This is page 1 of 4.
Suzanne O'Shea Azusa, Ca.
Posted: 06:33 pm [PST] on November 03 2009
Thank you so much for bringing this issue to the public's awareness. I appreciate all of the work you do to fight for our freedom of speech and helping preserve what few venues we still have left! I'M spreading the word!
Cynthia Maher Boyle Heights
Posted: 02:08 pm [PST] on August 02 2009
This is definitely Corporate Control over our own elected officials, it is probably the reason why they don't do anything about it.
Fred Sottile Rancho Dominguez, CA
Posted: 03:56 pm [PST] on May 14 2009
I have a flower garden in front of my house. It may not be a crop that I eat but is still beautiful and still serves a purpose. People who do not appreciate public access TV would probably like to pave over my garden. Only a short sighted fool would discourage public access TV.
Ricky Grubb Sunland 91040
Posted: 05:50 pm [PST] on April 28 2009
I ONLY watch public access television, and I ONLY listen to public (college), radio also.
I had dreamed of producing a native plant and habitat show with the SMMC one day, it seems less likely under the city's new direction.
Governments are too stupid to hatch an evil plan to undermine free speech. It (govt), is subject to the whims of politics, patronage, industry lobbying and public opinion.
Lenard East Vallejo, CA
Posted: 02:26 pm [PST] on March 23 2009
John W. it is attitudes like yours that the corporations are counting on! I don't disagree that there is some content that may not appeal to the masses but, that doesn't mean we should allow Public Access to be terminated for all forms of content. My show called "Real Talk w/Lenard East" is a show that makes an attempt to address pertinent and relevent topics of the day.
John W Los Angeles
Posted: 10:52 am [PST] on March 23 2009
As usual, the only people who seem to care about public access are the ones making programs for it. I fail to see how hours and hours of dull religious programming and people dancing in front of bad blue screens somehow addresses 'community concerns or cultural awareness.'
Nicholas Furlano Los Angeles
Posted: 10:00 pm [PST] on March 13 2009
I know Public Access is a viable place to address community concerns and cultural awareness. Programmers need to form a group to protect their right to air their voices. There must be something in the local laws that protects the voices of people from being infringed upon by corporate controls.
John Leporati New York
Posted: 04:13 pm [PST] on March 11 2009
Time Warner and Cablevision here in NY held public hearings recently about ending public access. It was revealed during those hearings that, of the basic cable fee of 70+ dollars a month, less than 40 cents goes to keep the 4 Public Access channels and their programs going! Since cable prices are already artificially inflated, it's not a money issue. It's about using the public tax- driven infrastructure (our money) to deliver your product and then not allowing us to have a voice in exchange. It's like someone living in your house and charging you rent! How long until the 7 media conglomerates start buying up all the server farms and shut down our access to the Internet? My heart goes out to all of LA. The people should declare an official day of mourning.
Jerilyn Stapleton Hollywood
Posted: 08:31 pm [PST] on March 01 2009
Providing the communities with Public Access channels is part of the cable companies receiving their franchises. By closing down these facilites they are in violation of their orginal contracts to provide to the very communities they serve. This is an outrage and needs to stop. If both side of an issue cannot be presented and discussed you do not have a democracy! Please reinstate Public Access cable.
Jerilyn Stapleton. Chair
CA NOW Media Reform Committee
David Patrick Pabian L.A. Silver Lake
Posted: 05:12 pm [PST] on February 24 2009
More thought-stopping, dialogue-stopping control. Shameful. The city council is beyond corrupt.