Democracy functions effectively only when there is a free press
a Fourth Estate, to tell truth to power
Precious press freedoms are once again under serious threat nationally, with Trump's maneuvering. As one notable indicator, Steven Spielberg has rung the tocsin. He brought us a movie – of a similar crisis that threatened press freedoms, but fifty years back now during the Vietnam war – “The Post.”
Press freedoms are so pivotal to the functioning of democracy they have gained explicit recognition, in the name “Fourth Estate” (the name grew originally out of the organization of European parliamentary systems). The essential quality for a robust Fourth Estate? That it be quite independent – utterly independent of the government, to which it must speak truth to power. Independent, period.
So, our local Concord Carlisle TV station, CCTV? Concord's Fourth Estate, being local, is if anything more precious.
CCTV? Independent!
Our community station CCTV must remain independent, and strong. Even a hint of government control undermines our freedoms.
A large majority, a chorus, of "Yes" votes for Article 20 at our 2018 Town Meeting re-affirmed the independence of CCTV
→ Voices in the discussion, on this page
- First, there are clips of video: A forum organized by the League of Women Voters Concord Carlisle, February 2 2018
- Then, recent history → a succinct, digestible review of the facts
- Also, a growing chorus in the Concord Journal, and the Carlisle Mosquito
Video from the League's forum on CCTV
Concord's Town Manager had proposed that Concord town government take over CCTV. To date and for a number of years, an independent board of directors oversees the station. The League of Women Voters Concord Carlisle devoted one of its First Friday discussions, February 2, 2018, to a public forum on the “proposed CCTV transition.”
[After playing a video, you can restore the video frame to its original appearance if you reload the page.]
1 – Diane Proctor, President, League of Women Voters Concord Carlisle
Diane Proctor begins with the Constitution, reading for us, as highlight, the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights, on free speech and a free press. She is clear: "The notion of independence of the Fourth Estate from government is not an abstract issue."
Enjoy.
2 – Cory Atkins, State Representative
Representative Cory Atkins is emphatically clear – she is deeply opposed to any transition. As she says, "Those farmers didn't fight and start shooting guns at the Old North Bridge so the government could control our media."
You do not want to miss her comments.
3 – David Allen
David Allen speaks plainly. There have been no reasons given for a takeover. Information disseminated has been worse than unreliable. A government taking over a TV station plays to the very worst of our instincts.
Much more importantly – Concord, and Carlisle, have been blessed with a stellar board of directors for our independent TV station. Including the most seasoned leadership of that board, two individuals at pinnacles of video production careers – who started in community television 30 years ago and who care fundamentally that ours will flourish. Everyone, giving their time on a volunteer basis to take us there.
Along with a first-class staff.
4 – Karen Kugel, CCTV Board of Directors
Karen Kugel, a member of the CCTV Board, is clear.
Concord can have all the CCTV services and features brought up by the Town Manager and his assistant – they only have to ask. Which they have not done. [Editor: Why haven't they asked?] And the costs will not be on the taxpayer, which could happen if swallowed up into the town. Not to mention the First Amendment considerations.
Whether a subscriber or not to Comcast, everyone has access to programming, which CCTV makes available online.
Complaints were investigated and all found not to be true. There were NO formal complaints, ever.
The two plus minutes make clarion.
5 – Tanya Gailus
Tanya and Mark Gailus announce Article 20 for Town Meting, to keep CCTV independent.
“It must remain independent, no matter what.”
6 – Julie Rohwein, audio engineer
Julie Rohwein, among other talents, an audio engineer with some years experience, has distinct, piercing questions for the Assistant Town Manager, about the proposal to create a satellite studio – but finds no answers.
A minute of video not to miss.
7 – Chris Whelan, Town Manager
The Town Manager tries to explain his behavior.
A Concord Journal article, which followed immediately after the League forum, reports evidence that two statements, in the full five minutes, are not true; instead: Though meetings with the Town Manager took place originally, that ended years ago. The Executive Director of CCTV has been the same person the last several years.
[As with one other clip here, this is a compilation (marked in this case via transitions at the edits), in the effort for clarity. For those who may want the full five-plus minutes, you are urged to go to the original recording, as below. This segment begins at about 1 hour 20 minutes.]
– The full 1 hour and 37+ minute video stream, for the complete League forum, is available at CCTV online (presently MMN. Search "League" for this event.)
— A compact assessment
No serious look had been made, it turns out, into the facts of CCTV – despite preemptory moves to disband it. More seriously, apparent non-truths were fairly regularly repeated, as rationale to that end. Time had come for a rigorous look, to assemble a trustworthy picture.
Five page pdf, presenting the facts finally
→ Need to get your hands around the facts of the CCTV situation in a fairly succinct form?
These five pages have been vetted most exhaustively, including by well over a dozen individuals. You may be surprised, even dismayed, by some of what you learn.
It is time for us to deal from the facts – then insure that we preserve the independence of CCTV, a fundamental cog in our Fourth Estate.
As we see, there is a down-arrow link at the bottom of the document frame, to download the pdf, if that is easiest to read.
— In the local papers
The local papers, other key cogs in our Fourth Estate, have played their part. Illustrating directly the esssential free press function.
From the Concord Journal: A CCTV Commentary and five letters to the editor. In the Carlisle Mosquito: Reportage, including first print of the CCTV Commentary.
Concord Journal – Commentary: CCTV Board of Directors, by Neville Webb, President
Commentary: by CCTV - Concord Journal, February 15 2018 (via scribd)
Concord Journal – Letter: League of Women Voters Concord Carlisle, by Diane Proctor, President
LWVCC - letter, Concord Journal, February 15 2018 (via scribd)
Concord Journal – Letter: Irwin Hipsman. Past Executive Director, public access corporations,
Somerville and Cambridge
Irwin Hipsman - letter, Concord Journal, February 8 2018 (via scribd)
Concord Journal – Letter: David Allen
David Allen - letter, Concord Journal, Feb 8 2018 (via scribd)
Carlisle Mosquito – reportage, plus
Can Carlisle Go It Alone for Public Cable TV – Carlisle Mosquito, February 2018 (via scribd)