Letter to the Editor: DCAT and Local Elections

As the political season begins, I would like to take this opportunity to review DCAT's policies and procedures as they apply to political programming.  At DCAT, as well as many access centers across the nation, we treat political programming no differently than any other programming that appears on the public access channels.

is a public access center. As such, its responsibility is to help Danvers community members create their own TV programs for local channels Comcast 99/Verizon 36.  Anybody in the Danvers community, including candidates for public office, can become a member of DCAT, attend required training sessions and use DCAT production facilities in order to create programs for DCAT. There is no fee for use of public access television equipment and all programs must be non-commercial.

At public access television centers like DCAT, there is no "equal time" policy for viewpoints, political viewpoints included. Political programs and candidates are treated in the same manner as any other programs or producers. Public access television centers operate on an "equal opportunity" basis. Candidates have the same opportunity to appear on the channel as anyone else, including other candidates. They are simply required to follow the same rules and procedures as any other community member desiring access.

In order for an individual to submit a program produced without using DCAT resources, he or she must complete an introductory orientation and sign an access usage agreement. The latter ensures that the producer accepts full responsibility for the content of his or her program.

In order to use the DCAT studio, portable equipment or editing, a person must become a DCAT member for a nominal fee, and attend DCAT Orientation.  At orientation, members learn about the variety of classes available to them to learn Studio and Field production as well as Non-Linear Editing.  The workshops are very basic courses for beginners and are designed to make even the most techno-phobic person feel comfortable with production equipment, our goal is to make the medium as accessible and friendly as possible so that people will look past the technology and view this as simply a tool for communication. If individuals cannot or wish not to get involved in the actual production work, they may work with an existing producer/member and volunteer crew from among our many trained members.  A list of eligible members is available upon request.

Helping others to produce their own programs is DCAT's primary role, however, during election season, DCAT staff gets involved in the production of voter education programs, forums and debates as well as award winning election night coverage.   Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.  kam@danverstv.org or call 978.777.2720

-Kam Dunn