Pushing Paperwork As a Stall Tactic

Anyone who has ever attempted to purchase leased access from a cable operator knows full well that most of the “excess paperwork” that is generated is generated purposely by the cable companies from the leased-access programmers. In their “applications” for carriage they ask you to give them your entire financial history, marketing plans, program outlines, list of advertisers and even any criminal history. Even when you are paying cash in advance. Lucky for them, they don’t have to disclose the same. This whole court action is simply more of the same from the cable operators … stall, stall and stall some more. Please FCC … wake up and do the right thing. Enforce the intent of Congress.

Jerry Kenney, President, Kenney Broadcasting Corp., Daytona Beach, Fla.

Level the Field For Leased Access

Once again, big industry has suppressed the little guy. It would be welcomed to see the FCC over come the OMB’s rejection of the new rules. Paperwork Reduction Act … seems another good intention getting in the way of doing the right thing. Overall, the suppressed leased-access programmers or third-party programmers are seemingly put on the back burner yet again. The implementation of the new rules are past due. Level playing field is what the cable industry is shouting. Why can’t leased-access programmers get the same?

Chris Folsom,
President, Positive Media Inc., Kingsland, Ga.

FCC Should Ensure Carriage of LPTV

It’s time for the government to insure everyone is treated equally (“Cable Rejects Low-Power TV Must-Carry,” Multichannel.com, July 31). If the FCC granted a license to operate on any TV channel, it should insure that the local cable company carries it. The FCC granted the license for the station to serve the needs of the community, regardless of the license class, therefore, the cable industry should carry every licensed operator.

C.C. Willwerth, St. Augstine, Fla.