State Journal-Register: Public access programs in trouble

http://www.sj-r.com/Sections/News/Stories/46189.asp

Funding cuts imposed by Insight Communications could mean the gutting of programming on public access television channels in Springfield.

"Insight has told the University of Illinois at Springfield that it plans to reduce its support for public access programming produced by the university by 71 percent - apparently in retaliation for UIS's cancellation of a separate contract under which Insight provided cable TV to UIS student housing.

The university put that contract out for bid because officials wanted more international programming. Many of the 600 students in university housing are foreign students, said Jerry Burkhart, director of UIS's electronic media department.

The university had sought service that included at least 10 international channels. The winning bidder, Campus TeleVideo, based in the Chicago area, offered an acceptable package for $32,000, UIS spokeswoman Cheryl Peck said. Insight's bid was higher and included less educational and foreign-language programming, she said."

Such a shame, less access to grassroots is always a loss for democracy. Maybe the Mayor will get the city to give them funding.