The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering rule changes that would allow cable operators to treat funding for cable-related costs as “in-kind” donations. This means they would deduct an undefined amount from monies that traditionally have gone to community media such as WHCA. This rule change would eliminate a major source of funding from WHCA and could result in community media centers closing their doors in every community across the country.

WHCA and many other community media centers across the country are working to fight this proposed rule change. We are connecting with our elected officials; local, state and federal to unite them in the fight against this proposed rule change.

This a historic piece of policy and we ask you to voice your concern. Here’s how you can help:

Submit a comment to the FCC (before the deadline: Wednesday, 11/14 at midnight) in three easy steps:

  1. Visit the FCC’s website at the following link: FCC filing #05-311
  2. Click on ‘+ Express ‘
  3. Fill in your information

Comments you might share could include:

  • My involvement as a volunteer at the WHCA has allowed me to…
  • Community media has raised the visibility of my organization by…
  • As a community leader, I see the value of community media…
  • I have benefitted from watching locally-produced programming because…
  • My children/students have gained skills utilizing our community media center…

WHCA and its partners such as MassAccess will track and share additional information as this policy advances through the FCC process; if you have any immediate questions, please feel free to contact me by email.

Additional Resources:

Read the excellent summary of the proposed rule put together by our friends at Open Signal in Portland Oregon: FCC Policy – The Full Story