TV

     A previous posting described the crisis facing Palo Alto Cable Coop. The issue is not just a local one. In one form or another it has hit or will hit TV everywhere. The matter is important to WAIS, since it determines the knowledge people have of the world and their interpretation of critical current events. Years ago Wilbur Shram edited a volume entitled A Day in the World's Press, which reproduced the front pages of leading world newspapers to illustrate the antithetical interpretations of events in Suez and Czechoslovakia, reflecting and stirring up international antagonisms. The impact of TV is much greater than that of the press.
     Subscribers to Palo Alto Cable Co-op voted to sell the troubled system to ATT/TCI, which has a reputation of eliminating or downgrading quality programs. My major concerns are SCOLA and C-SPAN. The new owner will have to get a new franchise from the cities served, primarily Palo Alto. A group of concerned citizens is now getting together to pressure the city governments to make the maintenance of quality programs a condition for the new franchise.
     WAIS TV producer Bill van Orsdol is very active in this campaign. All WAISers in the area, regardless of whether they are subscribers or not, are urged to contact him * if they are willing to participate. Those in other areas should follow their local situation with care and concern.
     *VanOrsdol.William, billvano@earthlink.net

Ronald Hilton - 1/5/00