Austin, TX – Public Access Community Television (PACT) objects to and fears today’s 3-2 vote by the Federal Communications Commission in favor of the Video Franchise Item in Docket 05-311 – and against public access television.

“Public Access Community Television will stand with the Alliance for Community Media (ACM), the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA), and others, to bring legal action to stop the FCC from overstepping its bounds and entering into the legislative arena,” said Linda Litowsky, PACT Executive Director.

“Senator Feingold and Representative Dingell have clearly articulated the bright line between the administrative and legislative branches of government,” said Stefan Wray, PACT Communications Director. “The FCC has crossed the line.”

In response to today’s FCC decision, Representative Lloyd Doggett’s Washington office told PACT that “the Congressman strongly supports public access television and is greatly concerned by this FCC action.”

Public Access Community Television is a non-profit corporation contracted by the City of Austin since October 1, 2005, to manage public access cable channels 10, 11, and 16.

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December 20, 2006

Public Access Community Television (PACT)
1143 Northwestern Avenue
Austin, TX 78702
www.pactaustin.org

Media Contact: Stefan Wray, 478-8600, Ext. 13