"PAC 14: We Need YOU!"

What is PAC 14?
PAC 14 is a "P.E.G." channel - Public, Educational, and Government Access Television. We serve the Wicomico County Area. Our programs are strictly non-profit and offer many different topics on many different subjects. PAC 14 has dutifully served this community since Nov. 1998.  Click Here: What is Public Access TV?

Who operates the channel?
PAC 14 has a staff of 3. The current hours of operation are from approx. 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM Monday – Friday. The channel exists as a partnership between the City of Salisbury, Wicomico County & Salisbury University.  

How is PAC 14 funded?
Clearly the single most asked question - and the most misunderstood - how is PAC 14 Funded? First, PAC 14 receives no 'tax' money. Frequently, the two primary funding sources of funding for access services are the cable company and municipality; via a portion of cable franchise fees received by the municipality. Municipalities may receive up to 5% of the cable operators gross annual revenue - excluding non-video services such as internet and phone services - as compensation for use (rent) of the Public Rights of Way. The legislation related to Franchise Fees clearly indicates the intended use of these fees; one of which is to support PEG Access operational needs. PAC 14's operational funds come from, are intended to come from, this Fee for use of the P.R.O.W.

As to the Capital portion of PEG funding, bricks, mortar, studios & major equipment, these funds come by way of the contracts signed between municipalities and cable/video providers. As example, other Maryland communities have received multiple-million dollars to support P.E.G. and have in turn established Community Media facilities. Public Access operations can be viewed as the video equivalent to a public library, every resident of the community may utilize the Community Media facilities and equipment once qualified. No other local media provides this type of open-door access to provide public participation in local media. This type of access understandably requires a significant amount of space, staff, and equipment in order to provide adequate service. In comparing Western Shore to Eastern Shore Access centers, few PEG operations actually exist on the Eastern Shore and those that do exist are severely under-funded. While PAC 14 is arguably the most successful and prolific Access channel on the Shore, PAC received less than $100,000 in a one-time capital contribution ('02) and to date has been unable to secure the additional funding necessary to build a comparable Community Media Facility. Notable MD examples offer roughly 9,000 sq. ft. in comparison to PAC's current 900 sq. feet. Averaged over the first ten years PAC's 'total' annual operating budget falls roughly around $120,000.

Why can't I receive PAC 14 ?
PAC 14, as with all P.E.G. channels, are carried exclusively on cable TV. Early on legislation / Cable Acts related to cabled TV services established the need for P.E.G. channels. Theses channels would ensure the local community (citizens) would not be shut-out of this cabled service. That is, not only distant programming, but our locally created programming as well. Thus the three primary community communication components P.E. & G. These channels were designed for local input, production, and the peoples direct 'hands-on' access to participate and produce local programming in a non-commercial manner. As such, all P.E.G operations (including PAC 14) desire every citizen to use the services, participate, and if they are cable subscribers to watch as well. Therefore a win-win-win scenario which includes the local volunteer producers and the viewers; all citizens may participate. P.E.G. operations have no control over what areas of a town or county may or may not receive the channel, but all gladly welcome the widest viewership (and use) possible. Some Access centers, like PAC 14, are seeking ways to add additional layers of participation. In the case of PAC 14, the channels programming is available 24/7 in streaming video on this website - thus expanding potential viewers and user benefits.

What does PAC 14 televise?
We are – “Local Television”. We televise programming 24 hours a day 7 days a week. We televise video programming as well as our text based bulletin board, Community Calendar. Public access programs vary greatly in length, quality and availability, so our program schedule changes from day to day and week to week. PAC 14 encourages the public to participate and to produce programs of interest to them. Public Access programming is produced by PAC staff as well as 'local producers' - citizens of Wicomico County.

Community Access Television, also know as Public, Educational, and Government Access (PEG for short) is for everyone. A portion of the programming you see on the access channel is actually produced by members of the community the channel serves - either private individuals, non-profit community-based organizations, or the even local government.

PAC 14 is an electronic forum for free expression used by the residents of the community. In PAC 14’s ten-year history it has very rarely received comments or letters of concern. Of any possible concerns, questions could arise from programming. In the case of a particular program a viewer might have concern with, they might comment, "There ought to be a law about what I saw on the station last night!" In fact there is a law: the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and its guarantee that "Congress shall pass no law abridging the freedom of speech..."

Basically, any resident of the community who completes the required workshop and is then qualified to use PAC 14 services may do so, provided that they can assure us that their program does nor contain any illegal content. We have agreed to maintain a public forum for the free expression of ideas - even ideas you or I might despise - as long as we prohibit any of the following types of content in programs:

Commercials or advertising
Libel or slander
Obscenity and pornography
Any violation of copyrights, publicity rights, or invasion of privacy
Any violation of FCC regulations
Any violation of any local, state, or federal law.

If you see something on the access channel which does not fall into one of the above categories, but which upsets you anyway, you have the right to become a member and learn how to produce your own program or message on the channel, to counteract the programming that upset you. As Supreme Court Justice Brandeis said: "...avert the evil by the process of education... the remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced silence." If you'd like to know how the FCC defines obscenity, and the very different type of content called "indecency," you may access their Consumer Fact Sheet at www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/obscene.html. 

The producer of record, person or group, is fully and legally responsible for the content of their program - including but limited to - any violation of local, state or federal law, libel, slander, or copyright infringement.

Where is PAC 14 located?
PAC 14 is located in the East Campus Complex Building, rooms 126-136. 
Directions: From the intersection of Rt. 13 & Bateman St., take Bateman St. first right on Wayne St. - East Campus Building is on the corner of Power & Wayne Streets. PAC 14 visitors can park in the front lot in spaces facing Wayne Street. PAC 14 offices - adjacent to Nabb Center - enter glass door to left with PAC 14 logo.

So what makes PAC 14 so special?
Local - Local - Local. A public "green space" where 'local' people can share thoughts, ideas, interests & information within our community - WITHOUT - the influence of commercials or ratings. Our mandate is to train residents of Salisbury & Wicomico County to produce "local" programs. We provide training and access to the available PAC 14 video equipment on a first-come, first-served basis. While we strive for quality, we focus on content. PAC 14 staff produces some of the programs you see and local folks like “you” produce the rest.

So, it's a partnership?
Absolutely, 100 motivated individuals ready to use our "FREE" video equipment equal 100 "local" programs. With roughly 90,000 residents in Wicomico area and over 300 non-profit organizations, the potential is tremendous. 

So, what's the catch - nothing is FREE these days?
No catch, airtime and equipment use free. Public Access stations have existed for several decades serving small and large communities nationwide. The only catch is your personal time being creative with video and demonstrating your 'support' for PAC 14. Open-access to 'local television' is not something anyone should take for granted - no more than any basic freedom or right. The First Amendment - is the first amendment - for a reason. We have evolved from small meetings in the village square to connectivity between homes in our towns and cities.

There are those who would take this basic right away from you, all in the name of higher profits and healthy corporate bottom-lines. By actively using Public Access as a viewer, but more importantly as a local producer, you make Access stronger - as well as our community. We all seem to be disengaged these days with less time for everything. But community access TV helps us stay engaged and connected. Government meetings, lectures, speeches, hearings, any number of important and informational events are carried on Public Access TV.
 
The point is, if you want more out of PAC 14 - "you" need to put more into it. There's nothing more that we like to do than produce video, however we can't be every where for everyone - we need you! The best way to ensure public access thrives is to support it - by using it! 

So there is no cost?
There is no cost to you other than videotapes, which are cheap and available locally.

What would I use to produce a program?
You can use your own equipment if you like, but we suggest using PAC's cameras and editors. We supply a high quality “user-friendly” kit that includes, digital camera, batteries, lavalier microphones, cables and tripod. The cameras are amazingly compact - all you really need to worry about is framing your shot and using the camera safely.

You expect me to shoot and edit?
Relax, PAC 14 offers a free workshop that provides a detailed overview of the equipment, as well as instruction on how to get started. Professional video production is an art and a science like anything else, but we're not talking "Discovery Channel" quality here. We're talking about interviews & basic information - delivered in the most visually interesting way you can manage. The cameras are light and easy to use - the editors no more difficult than using your personal computer. You "can" do it - we show you how! 

OK I'll do it - what do I do first?
1. Sign-on as a 'PAC 14 supporter'. There's a link on our homepage.
       There are no dues or 'newsletters' - we just need your signature of support.
2. Register for one of our monthly qualifying workshops.
       The workshops are scheduled throughout the year and each session last
       under 2 hours. Once you have attended the one-time workshop you are
       asked to complete a very simple qualifying exam. Return the exam, with
       a completed producer form and copy of your drivers’ license. Once the
       paper work is completed you are qualified!  

            CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

3. Once you qualified - start producing - as often as your wish.

When registering for the next workshop please include the names of those whom will attend with you - also note your organizations name. Creig Twilley, the PAC 14 Public Access production coordinator, will contact you with date & time. If you don't hear from us, feel free to call. The directions to PAC 14 are below. Thanks again, see you soon.

PAC 14 Offices:
Power Professional Building Room 138
Corner of Wayne & Power St, off S. Division St.
(adjacent to Nabb Research Center.)

If you have problems registering on-line please call:
 410-546-3670 or 410-677-5014

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