Features

If you see nothing on the screen but snow when you turn on a Berkeley Community Media (BCM) TV channel Monday, it’s not the fault of your television: It’s a protest. 

Operation Snowstorm has been organized by local community access stations around the country to protest a federal government proposal to stop requiring that cable television providers offer public and local governments access to airwaves. 

BCM Executive Director Brian Scott said, “It’s an action of solidarity with the Alliance for Community Media, a nationwide organization which is challenging the huge lobbying efforts by corporate media like Comcast, TimeWarner and SBC that are taking over the airwaves.” 

While most community stations are limiting their efforts to a series of short snowstorms on Nov. 7, BCM members are working on something more elaborate, Scott said. 

“We want to leave some power in the hands of the community,” he said. “We’re working on a series of spots that will explain what’s going on.” 

In Berkeley and other cities, Scott said, Comcast TV is trying to get out of their contracts which require some public and educational TV. Berkeley’s 15-year Comcast contract expires in 2006. 

“If there’s no voice for the people, all you’ll have is what the corporate media want you to believe, while with public access television, people can tell the truth and the station won’t have to fear losing advertising dollars,” Scott said. 

City Councilmember Kriss Worthington said he supports the protest. 

“It’s a national issue, and I’m glad to see Berkeley people are getting so involved,” he said.  

i