The sweetheart deal for Comcast working its way through city hall does little to benefit access to communications for Seattle residents.

In a Progressive city like Seattle while we’re being lauded for our leadership on issues like the Kyoto Treaty and global warming, we’ve done little to create access to cable television and the ability to create original programming for Seattle residents.

“Public Access “ programming is the missing link in the new sweetheart deal with Comcast. Demand has been strong for creating public access programs, and the limited space on one channel has not kept up with the demand. With each subsequent contract, funding from Comcast for equipment for the Public Access channel has been reduced, while funding for the Seattle Municipal channel has been increased. The programming for the municipal channel is controlled by the city, not by the public.

Very few people would disagree that the programming on Seattle’s Public Access channel often lacks quality. Yet the conundrum of bad programming and open access can be addressed by creating two Public Access channels, one with ongoing shows that are approved by the Public Access Board of Directors, the other channel open to the public on the existing lottery system. With an investment in equipment for show producers and with two Public Access channels, Seattle will be able to claim our Progressive label. We’ll be able to create real access for the public to producing quality community television for civic issues, the arts and for other points of view.

We could even take our ownership of the cable system a step further. In contrast to Seattle, Tacoma has taken the “radical” step of creating a municipal cable system. Seattle could do the same. With ownership of a municipal cable system, Seattle could provide low-cost or subsidized basic cable and internet access to city residents and quality programming.

Reclaim The media