Thread by @ucanmaketv

@ajc @atlanta_press @canopyatl @ADWNews @cl_atlanta On the same day hundreds lined up and waited to speak to @atlcouncil, Mayor @andreforatlanta administration took control of Atlanta's public access TV channel, Comcast channel 24. @PeopleTV_ATL 1-yr contract ended June 5th,

contracts have ended before but Dickens is 1st ATL Mayor in 40 years, to seize control of public access TV channel, a first amendment platform without prior notice to public, w/o alternative plan to ensure the public's access to submit programs, equipment, facilities, training

#Atlanta one of the oldest public access TV channels in US Dr. Jabari Simama "public access TV was important in 1980s and still today "put technology in hands of ordinary people, give them a voice, eliminate 'gate-keepers' to free speech

in 2011 interview, Congressman John Lewis said "everybody, every citizen has a right to public access". and "we must not give up on public access TV.

This is NOT a money issue. ATL cable subscribers pay 5% of cable bill in franchise fees, Comcast remits fees to CoA, approx. $5 million annually. During 2012-2019 franchise period, Comcast reported remitting $42.8 mil franchise fees to CoA.

ordinance 93-O-1790 required 25% of cable franchise fees be placed in a CATV Programming Fund for public and government access TV, with 60% of fund set aside to fund public access TV operations and 40% set aside to fund government access TV operations. drive.google.com/file/d/1EH42F-…

In 2023 fiscal year, operations of public access TV channel, Comcast channel 24 was funded $180k, the government channel, Comcast channel 26, $750k. Based on ordinance 93-O-1790, if cable franchise revenue $5 mil, People TV's budget should be $750k and government access $500K.