PUBLIC ACCESS TV CAN SHOW PROGRAMS TO A WIDER AUDIENCE

The public access channel televised on the Cape Girardeau cable television system has been an overlooked opportunity.

Lack of local programming prompted a time-sharing situation between the public access channel and C-SPAN about a year ago. At least two councilmen would like to see C-SPAN move elsewhere, so that public access programming can be expanded without interfering with the popular coverage of the U.S. House of Representatives and other national government coverage.

At its origin, Southeast Missouri State University students coordinated the public access station, using equipment provided by TCI Cablevision of Missouri. But when equipment began to break down, the university decided not to pick up the costs. It bowed out in June 1988. Operations were soon shifted to Ron Duff Video Productions, which continues to broadcast council and school board meetings and put other local programs on the air under contract with TCI.

It wouldn't take great resources to improve the channel. There are so many high-caliber speakers who come to town or to Southeast Missouri, many times to small gatherings. Rebroadcasts of these speeches would reach much bigger audiences. The same can be said for such community activities as the recent Freedom Celebration. What a treat it would have been to broadcast a tape of the performance on the Fourth of July after the public showings had ended. The same is true of university and high school theater productions or musical performances. There is so much local talent just waiting to be tapped.

But guidelines must be made clear on the type of equipment that must be used and how to get taped broadcasts on the air. An individual or group must be designated to sift through the submissions and make scheduling decisions.

No doubt production costs would be associated with increased local programming. But Councilman Melvin Gateley makes a good point when he says these costs should be borne by sponsors or from proceeds of the cable TV franchise tax money.

Currently, "Ask Your Doctor" and "Perspective on the Law" are funded by the local bar association and medical society. Southeast Missouri State University sporting events are being rebroadcast, along with some University of Missouri basketball games. Two religious shows sponsored by local churches also air regularly.

These are all good programs, but there is room for much more. It is time that Cape Girardeau really plugs into local access programming.