Back in August of 2019, the Federal Communications Commission put out an order which granted permission to cable companies such as Comcast and Charter to value non-monetary items as in-kind donations which can cause a huge wipe of Community Cable Access stations around the country. Now in the month of February, people like myself who are running these stations are waiting to see what deductions come with our first quarterly checks from cable franchises for 2020.

What does this mean for stations? Well, no one really knows yet until we get our checks this month. Luckily, we have groups like MassAccess who advocate and file bills in the Massachusetts legislature such as H-4045, an act relative to digital entertainment on public right of ways. There’s also Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey’s filing of an amendment to The Communications Act of 1934, this includes the co-signing of all if not many Massachusetts legislators on the Federal Level.

This is good an all, however, there’s always going to be that 50/50 chance that something will pass, or something will not pass. And obviously, if none of these bills pass, the fight will continue. Sure, underwriting is an option, but the road to finding alternative revenue to keep community media running is going to be a bumpy road. Hopefully, we will remain and we will survive for that community media is strong and important. However, our futures will depend on our first quarterly checks this month.

Hi, I’m Alex and I write “stuff” and not “games” as I was wrongfully taken of my “alexwritesstuff” domain. Anyways, I might as well tell you who I am for you will maybe read this (if you desire). I currently go to Westfield State University majoring in Communication while minoring in Political Science. Right now, I am finishing up my Bachlor’s degree as I just got promoted at the Cable Access Station which has put me in a good position for when I graduate. In short terms, I don’t have to go through the dreaded “job hunt” for after I graduate.

However, this doesn’t mean I will stop there and call it a day. I want to go after a Master’s in Buisness Administration degree from Western New England University in Springfield, MA. Why WNEU? I want to get my degree at WNEU because their MBA program has a Public Relations concentration for I want to continue in the Communication field, but have a suitable career which can allow me to explore other career fields as well.

The fun part. Where do I live and what do I do? I live in Amherst, MA and in my spare time (which I will regain in May when I graduate) I like to write, do outdoorsy activities, listen to my record player, and watch action and comedy shows/movies.

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