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Announcement :: Media |
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Urbana City Council to consider RESOLUTION on "Democracy Now!" |
Current rating: 0 |
by Randall Cotton
Email: recotton (nospam) earthlink.net (unverified!)
Phone: 217-722-8470 |
17 Nov 2004
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On Monday, November 22nd at the 7:30PM, the Urbana City Council will consider a resolution directing the City of Urbana to begin airing "Democracy Now!" on UPTV, local public-access cable channel 6, by January 3, 2005. This resolution was drafted to counter ongoing censorship of this programming by Mayor Todd Satterthwaite. A strong public turnout in support of "Democracy Now!" is needed to encourage the City Council to support this resolution. Continued resistance from the mayor is expected (see the draft resolution text in this article). |
The following is the draft text of a resolution that is on the agenda for the November 22, 2004 Urbana City Council meeting.
This resolution is the culmination of a more than 7 month effort to get the full video production of "Democracy Now!" cablecast on the Champaign/Urbana local cable system at public-access channel 6 (Urbana Public Television - UPTV).
Though this programming was requested in early May and was initially granted, mayor Tod Satterthwaite has succeeded in censoring this programming since then.
Please attend in support of this resolution – 7:30PM, Monday November 22nd at the Urbana City Council Chambers (ground floor of the Urbana City Building) 400 S. Vine St., Urbana (across the street from Lincoln Square Mall).
Also, see the links below for more information on this issue...
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO OBTAIN AND ACTIVIATE THE NECESSARY TV SATELLITE SYSTEM TO ALLOW FOR THE BROADCAST OF REQUESTED PUBLIC ACCESS PROGRAMMING ON UPTV
WHEREAS, a request that Urbana Public Television (UPTV) begin broadcasting "Democracy Now!" was submitted to UPTV on May 6, 2004; and
WHEREAS, there are 20 (twenty) additional outstanding requests from Urbana-resident members of UPTV to broadcast "Democracy Now!" which were submitted to UPTV Coordinator Chris Foster on August 9, 2004; and
WHEREAS, on July 12th, 2004 and September 13th, 2004 a total of over 1200 local resident petitions were submitted to the UPTV Commission in support of the live cablecast of "Democracy Now!" on UPTV from 7AM to 8AM each weekday; and
WHEREAS, on September 13th, 2004 the UPTV Commission voted unanimously in favor of updating UPTV’s public access policy – changes which make possible live cablecast of "Democracy Now!" on UPTV each weekday from 7AM to 8AM; and
WHEREAS, no cost for broadcasting “Democracy Now!” will be incurred by the City of Urbana since such cost is being donated by public access member Randall Cotton; and
WHEREAS, programming time is readily available from 7AM to 8AM each weekday on UPTV and much of this time is devoted to "filler" bulletin board; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor has made clear in statements to the press (News Gazette, September 14th, 2004) as well as in recent conversations with UPTV Commission members that he wants city council discussion on this matter;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF URBANA, ILLINOIS as follows:
Section 1: The City of Urbana shall sign, submit and execute the "Free Speech TV Non-Commercial Cable/Broadcast Affiliate Agreement" required for UPTV to become a "Free Speech TV Affiliate".
Section 2: The City of Urbana shall obtain, install and activate the necessary "Dish Network" digital satellite system receiving dish and receiver equipment required for "Democracy Now!" re-transmision via Free Speech TV, to be obtained from Free Speech Television, with any payment for such equipment and one year of associated programming to be provided as a donation by Randall Cotton of 508 E. Clark St. Apt. 404, Champaign, Illinois.
Section 3: The City of Urbana shall complete all equipment purchase, installation, configuration and any other tasks necessary to begin live 7AM-8AM weekday cablecasts of "Democracy Now!" via Free Speech TV on UPTV and shall commence these cablecasts no later than January 3, 2005. |
See also:
http://www.ucimc.org/newswire/display/21870/index.php
http://www.ucimc.org/newswire/display_any/20138
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Related stories on this site:
CALL TO ACTION! Urbana City Council to address UPTV broadcast of "Democracy Now!", 7:30PM Monday, November 22nd.
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This work is in the public domain. |
Comments
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Re: Urbana City Council to consider RESOLUTION on "Democracy Now!" |
by Casablanca
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
17 Nov 2004
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hey, check this Democracy Project (blog), http://www.democracy-project.com/mission.html
So many democracy projects/perspectives, and so little time... |
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Re: Urbana City Council to consider RESOLUTION on "Democracy Now!" |
by anon
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
18 Nov 2004
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Excellent development!
Good luck, and down with D*ckhead Satterthwaite! What a tool; y'all are making some serious progress here, and it seems as if "victory" has almost been obtained. Satterthwaite is textbook egotistic obstructionist bureaucrat.
Why has he fought this effort so much? I mean really, what's his underlying issue? Pure ego? His power was threatened? What is that pr*ck's deal?
Anybody care to speculate? |
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Re: Urbana City Council to consider RESOLUTION on "Democracy Now!" |
by Karl Bauer
karlobauer (nospam) yahoo.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
20 Nov 2004
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It would be helpful to new viewers of this website to know what "Democracy Now!" is. |
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What Is Democracy Now!? |
by Dose of Reality
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
20 Nov 2004
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http://www.democracynow.org/ |
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Re: Urbana City Council to consider RESOLUTION on "Democracy Now!" |
by anon
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
21 Nov 2004
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Changes in the UPTV rules were passed by the UPTV commission on Friday. They include changes that allow daily series such as Democracy Now as well as other changes in regulations reguarding membership and use of equipment among other things. |
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Re: Urbana City Council to consider RESOLUTION on "Democracy Now!" |
by Chris Foster
clfoster (nospam) city.urbana.il.us (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
22 Nov 2004
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The UPTV Commission passed new rules and regulations that enable non-local daily series programming such as Democracy Now to air on UPTV. Documents relating to the revsion of the UPTV Public Access Policy and Procedure Manual will be posted later today on the City of Urbana's website at www.city.urbana.il.us |
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Re: Urbana City Council to consider RESOLUTION on "Democracy Now!" |
by anon
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
23 Nov 2004
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i really don't think the whole issue was up to satterthwaite... Do you really believe he has complete power over the cable station? PLEASE. While being a supporter for Democracy Now, I understood why it took some time to get this going... You can't expect new policies to be passed in a day. I think some of you need to think about who you're pointing your finger at and how unreasonable you have become. Could it have had anything to do with the commission? |
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The Mayor's Parrot? |
by Dose of Reality
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
23 Nov 2004
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That's odd, anon. Your take on this is almost exactly what the position of the mayor was in a news story on last night's Urbana council meeting on AM580 this morning. The only problem is that it is also complete bullshit.
The UPTV/cable commission people have been overwhelmingly supportive of the proposal to put DN! on UPTV. And every step of the way, the mayor has been there to obstruct efforts to do so. Not just once, but repeatedly. If, as the mayor claims, he was not trying to censor DN!, he could have put all his concerns into one document, forwarded it to the cable commission, and then worked closely with them to get any changes needed approved expeditiously.
Instead, at every step, just when one problem that the mayor had was resolved by the commission, Tod pulled another rabbit out of his hat. Almost inevitably, each rabbit appreared at the last minute before the commission meetings started, instead of being forwarded to teh cable commission in a timely manner. The mayor's position at every point, while he has artfully avoided saying he just wants to censor DN!, has been willfully obstructionist to every effort to put DN! on UPTV.
If there is any perceived problem with the cable commission, it is on the part of the mayor. He's probably regretting that they didn't act like the lapdogs he likes to appoint to various Urbana commissions and committees these days. This is just further evidence that the mayor mostly acts in his own political interests, rather than in the best interests of Urbana. It is a major reason why he has worn out his welcome with Urbana's citizens. Thank goodness his retirement is all but certain in the spring elections. |
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Re: Urbana City Council to consider RESOLUTION on "Democracy Now!" |
by TV Viewer
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
23 Nov 2004
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It was mentioned several times during the Monday meeting that an overwhelming majority of Urbana citizens want Democracy Now! on UPTV and had signed petitions stating so. In fact, Mr. Cotton stated that the petitions numbered 1,200 signatures.
1,200 signatures - the same amount of signatures that put the Plus 2 referendum on the ballot.
Since we saw how well that referendum faired on Nov. 2, can we really say that a clear majority of citizens want this program. 1,2000 signatures is only 3 percent of the population.
Now, that being said, I want to see Democracy Now! on UPTV. I even think that many people will find the content to be thought provoking - and God forbid - we might even learn a thing or two by watching something without commercials for the pharmacutical of the day.
But I also think that anyene who doubts that Tod will be putting up a fight to the death for this election is mistaken. To imply that the spring elections wil rid us of Tod is not a good route to travel.
Time and time again, Laurel Prussing has failed as a candidate, and don't be suprised to see her fail again, even in Urbana.
I think a third candidate needs to step up and challenge both of these poor candidates on the Democratic ticket - if only I knew who.
But that's just my ramblings . . . back to the TV. |
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Re: Urbana City Council to consider RESOLUTION on "Democracy Now!" |
by anon
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
23 Nov 2004
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It seems like some people always have to be protesting for something. I wish you could at least pick some meaningful battles.
Oh but TV is REALLY important. Throw it out. Do something productive for you community... be a tutor, or mentor.Do some community service. Help the future, help the elderly. Don't be a pathetic loser that complains about everything and anything. |
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Re: Urbana City Council to consider RESOLUTION on "Democracy Now!" |
by urbana resident
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
23 Nov 2004
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I am wondering why Champaign residents didn't bring this issue up at the Champaign City Council Meetings. Champaign has a public tv station, too- doesn't it? Why isn't Mayor Schweighart publicly criticized by residents of Urbana for not responding to our issues? Everyone who lives in Urbana- go to the next Champaign city council meeting and demand that the city of Champaign do something for Urbana residents!!! (it's only fair) |
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Re: Urbana City Council to consider RESOLUTION on "Democracy Now!" |
by A bit of common sense
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
23 Nov 2004
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Why should the Urbana taxpayers fund a severly biased "news" program?? This program is terribly liberaly biased. Watch or listen to the program with an open mind, you'll see what is going on. People say that there will be no costs to the taxpayers, but who pays for the electricity, the maintainance, the space in which the receiver will reside? The taxpayers do. How would you feel if a group of people got together demanding that the Rush Limbaugh program be carried??
Satterthwaite, no matter how much I disagree with him on most topics, is in the right by thinking of all Urbana citizens, not just those who signed a petition.
BTW, you can also watch and listen to the program online as well as listen to it on 90.1 at 4 as I do. |
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Re: Urbana City Council to consider RESOLUTION on "Democracy Now!" |
by TV Viewer
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
23 Nov 2004
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Does anyone know of readily available conservative prorgamming that could be aired in the interest of equal time on UPTV?
I'm sure that we will be hearing from the right wing in the coming weeks. |
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"a bit of common sense" Should Get His/Her Facts Straight |
by Dose of Reality
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
23 Nov 2004
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Actually, no taxpayer money is being used to broadcast Democrcy Now! It is fully funded by donations.
I thought rightwing nutjobs like you always read the News-Gazette, where this fact has been mentioned repeatedly. Given the apparent low level of reading comprehension on the right, I guess your ignorance is not really that surprising, though.
You could benefit from DN!, but you might have to complete that GED first. |
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Re: Urbana City Council to consider RESOLUTION on "Democracy Now!" |
by TV Viewer
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
23 Nov 2004
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Dose of Reality -
Mr. Cotton is donating the equipment and first year's programming fees - as stated at the Monday meeting.
The question asked by "common sense" is valid - the city (taxpayers) wil be paying electric bills for the equipment, the salary of the UPTV employees who are downloading the program for broadcast, and other associated costs.
While the costs may be minimal, they are still taxpayer paid costs associated with the broadcast of Democracy Now!
If some donors are planning on making some financial contributions to take care of theses expenses - then, yes, the program will be totally funded by donations. But until then, there will be taxpayer costs.
Instead of insulting other posters, how about helping promote DN and raising funds so that there truly would be no cost to the citizens of Urbana. |
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The Mayor's Parrot Is Back (or Just Another Red Herring) |
by Dose of Reality
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
23 Nov 2004
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I'm certain that donations will continue to support DN! after the first year.
Your second point is entirely BS. UPTV operates continously, so the expenses you speak of, other than the actuall costs of the DN! programming and equipment, continue no matter what programming is being played. Thus, there are NO additional expenses involved in putting DN! on the air.
BTW, the mayor is looking for someone to handle public relations for his struggling reelection campaign. You sound like you fit the bill by being able to dredge up irrelevant crap to throw at the drop of a hat. |
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Re: Urbana City Council to consider RESOLUTION on "Democracy Now!" |
by a
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
23 Nov 2004
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Ha ha ha, look at all the brownshirts whine, diverge, and distract!
"1,200 signatures is only 3 percent of the population."
So, how does the petitioning process work? You can't get a bureacrat to take action until you acquire 51% of the last census count, in sig's? The "majority" always decides for everyone else? (see "the civil rights movement".)
"Who pays for the electricity, the maintainance, the space in which the receiver will reside?"
A totally irrelevant "non-issue"; you're clearly grasping for straws.
When will the first show air? Very exciting - nice work Progressive Urbana! |
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