Our Mission Statement
Cheshire Television exists to encourage citizens to exercise their right to free speech and to foster awareness of their community through democratic use of electronic media by providing access to cable television and for the purpose of non-commercial communication within the community.
About Public Access Television
Pursuant to Section 611 of the Communications Act of 1984, local franchising authorities may require cable operators to set aside channels for public, educational, or governmental (“PEG”) use. Public access channels are available for use by the general public.
PEG channels are not mandated by federal law, rather they are a right given to the franchising authority, which it may choose to exercise. The decision whether to require the cable operator to carry PEG channels is up to the local franchising authority. If the franchise authority does require PEG channels, that requirement will be set out in the franchise agreement between the franchising authority and the cable operator.
In accordance with applicable franchise agreements, local franchising authorities or cable operators may adopt on their own, non-content-based rules governing the use of PEG channels. For example:
Rules may be adopted for allocating time among competing applicants on a reasonable basis other than the content of their programming. Minimum production standards may be required. Users may be required to undergo training. Cable operators may not control the content of programming on public access channels with the exception that the cable operator may refuse to transmit a public access program, or a portion of the program, which the cable operator reasonably believes contains obscenity.
Keene, Swanzey PEG Info
Cheshire TV is committed to providing an opportunity for members of the Community to use cable television to communicate their views. We seek to present a broad range of programming that expresses a diversity of perspectives; to establish a broad base of community understanding of and involvement in public access television; to encourage community support for access productions; and to furnish an electronic conduit for uncensored free expression. We further intend to assess community response to programming on the public access channel and to aid in the development of additional programming; to ensure continued community access to and use of these channels through sound management; and to participate in the development of additional community uses of telecommunications technology.
Cheshire TV exists to further the educational missions of local schools and institutions.
Cheshire TV provides a medium through which community members can communicate personal ideas and views to their entire community. Cheshire TV offers education and training in television production to community members of all ages.
Board of Directors Info
Cheshire TV is a member organization and is governed by a Board of Directors elected by the membership. In addition to Board members elected by the membership, one additional Board member may be appointed by SAU 29, Keene State College, and each municipality. (In accordance with our Bylaws, no elected official may hold a voting seat on the Board.)
Facilities and Equipment
Cheshire TV will provide and maintain video production and post-production equipment, playback and cable-casting equipment, training, and channel time to individuals and organizations that meet qualification criteria. These resources are available for the production and presentation of programming by and for the Community on a first-come, first-served, non-discriminatory basis.