QPTV: Queens Update: the First Amendment Under Fire

MEDIA RELEASE - Town Hall Meeting Part 1 - First Amendment Under Fire

A message from our Executive Director, Daniel J. Leone

QPTV (Queens Public Communications Corporation) is a not-for-profit private corporation serving the residents of Queens. QPTV manages four public access channels on the cable TV systems in Queens, under Franchise Agreements between the City of New York and the cable operators in the Borough.

Since it’s inception in the early eighties QPTV has trained Borough residents who are interested in producing community television programs. QPTV cablecasts video programming and bulletin board information 365 days a year. The residents of Queens have become reliant on QPTV to deliver this diverse programming.

QPTV in its 25 plus years has serviced hundreds of not-for-profit organizations that serve tens of thousands of community residents. By doing so, QPTV reaches beyond the 400,000 basic cable subscribers in Queens.

As our community changes each day, with diversity from around the globe, the one constant is the desire and need to communicate. The sharing of ideas, cultural traditions, and empowering information offers the residents of Queens an opportunity that is not only unique, but one that might not otherwise be found in mainstream media outlets.

The idea of community television was created in order to give people a voice. It’s the modern day equivalent to the town crier on their soapbox. It’s democracy at its finest.

QPTV faces many challenges in the future. The tools are constantly changing and planning for the future is not easy. There will be complex decisions to be made, but with an enthusiastic community the future is promising.

QPTV hopes that the community's continued support will allow us to operate long into the future.

We invite you to become a part of this unique experiment in democracy.

Daniel J. Leone
Executive Director
Queens Public Television

Statement of Purpose

The Queens Public Communications Corporation (QPTV) is a not-for-profit private corporation that administers, manages and controls four access channels in accordance with the provisions of the Franchise Agreement between the City of New York and Time Warner Cable of New York City, RCN Cable Systems and Verizon FiOS for the Borough of Queens.

For over twenty five years QPTV has been committed to helping the Queens Community in the development and production of local programming. Queens Public Television acknowledges that, under the protection of the First amendment to the Constitution of the United States, every individual is entitled to express their views as long as such expression of ideas does not conflict with Local, State or Federal Law.

QPTV offers training in the art of television production to residents and Not-for-Profit Organizations that are based in the Borough of Queens. There is no fee for the use of QPTV's facilities and equipment.

While QPTV facilitates the free exchange of ideas among individuals and groups, QPTV is not responsible for the content of programs created by members of the community.

You can watch QPTV on Channels 34, 35, 56 and 57 on Time Warner Cable, Channels 82, 83, 84 and 85 on RCN and Channels 34, 35, 36 and 37 on Verizon FiOS.

PRODUCER BULLETIN BOARD

Martin Luther King National Memorial: http://mlkmemorialnews.org/

Wanted: QPTV-Accredited Producer or Sound Engineer for NEA Project.

We are producing a PSA for QPTV and we’d like to find a producer who could help us.

The event that we are publicizing is an NEA-funded public art collaboration between students at LaGuardia Community College and two acclaimed artists, Thomas Hirschhorn and Hong-An Truong.

The artists have developed strong narrative and visual content, but we need the guidance of a QPTV-accredited producer to help us with the audio.

If possible, we would like to use a large-diaphragm cardioid dynamic microphone for recording vocals. We would like to make the recordings in two 2-hour sessions at the QPTV studios. We can schedule the appointments in April at your convenience.

Please contact Professor Charity Scribner: charity.scribner@gmail.com or 718 482 5651, thanks.

QPTV Producer Cassandra Wimbs is seeking crew to assist her in completing her Studio Certification Project. Contact cliff@qptv.org for more information.

New York writer Adam Ullian is seeking a producer for a program featuring interviews with comedians & musical guests. Mr. Ullian can be reached at 617-529-8177 or at ashep214@gmail.com. You can also view a sample of Adam's work at: www.youtube.com/user/aullian

From QPTV Producer Bill Scott: "Hello folks:

I scheduled a show for February 6, 2010 but could not get a crew together. I will make another date soon.

I have been working on a few shows lately as crew. I continue to look for a crew for my show so if anyone is doing a show then please contact me at 718 762-6944 or Billsesquire@aol.com. I will work on your show; please work on mine."

Thanks,
Bill Scott