The big picture is that only five huge media corporations control the mainstream media in the United States. Remarkably, these companies continue to merge and the scope has expanded to include new media products like the Internet. Media consolidation means that a few are controlling what we, the many see, hear and read. How does this serve the public interest? How does this guarantee that diverse opinions and viewpoints are presented?

It's really frightening out there. Even locally, Tucson's oldest newspaper, the Tucson Citizen closed which means one less watchdog in Tucson.

And now your local resource to let your voice be heard is in jeopardy. Maybe you don't think you have something important to say yet but do you really want your ability to speak at all taken away? As announced last week, Access Tucson is closed February 10th through March 9th. This closure is a direct result of Access Tucson's 100% funding cut by the City of Tucson.

Programming will still be seen on the channels, but there will be no new shows because no cameras, microphones or lights will be checked out.

There will be no editing time or studio productions. 108 shows will not go live.

There will be no community affairs programming produced. Local Matters and TucsonVision are canceled.

There will be no classes. 158 people will not be trained. There will be no youth programs. Eight school tours are canceled.


There will be no local event coverage.  The Rodeo Parade, the Tucson Urban League Gala with CNN commentator Roland Martin, and the new WATER PROJECT: Tucson's Synergistic Water Festival will not be televised unless these groups raise enough funds to cover the video productions.
 

And there will be no free internet access for the public.
 
The 4 week closure will save money and allow Access Tucson the time to work with the City of Tucson on a plan that keeps both the city government channel and Access Tucson-the voice of the community-alive.

If you think this is bad, imagine no Democracy Now!, no Bunny, no "You Go" guy. Imagine no community programming, no facility, no public voice at all.

Please take a moment to contact the Mayor and Council to let them know why community media is important to you.
 
You can call the Mayor and Council comment line at 791-4700 or go to the Access Tucson website to contact your city government by email.  Let them know that you support a plan that keeps both the City's voice AND the people's voice alive and well.

Now is the time to get involved and make it happen.

Celebrating 25 years, Access Tucson strives to provide the highest level of public media access service to the community. We facilitate the expression of ideas, opinions, and perspectives through electronic media. By tuning in to public access, viewers are discovering their own communities, alternative news and information not influenced by corporate or government interests.

All Tucson public access channels are operated and controlled by Access Tucson.  Access Tucson is an independent, nonprofit corporation and is not an agent or affiliate of Cox Communications, Comcast or the City of Tucson. 

Cox Communications, Comcast, the City of Tucson and Access Tucson are prohibited by law from controlling the content of programs on public access channels.  They are not responsible in any way for the content of public access programs, and are not liable for any material cablecast on pubic access channels.  Public access users and producers are solely responsible for and have complete control of the content of their programs. 

You can produce your own program and use this channel to share your message with the community.  Go to accesstucson.org or call (520) 624-9833 to find out how.