East Bridgewater Community Television Local Access Television for East Bridgewater, MA
Navigation Map

EAST BRIDGEWATER COMMUNITY TELEVISION, INC.

POLICIES AND REGULATIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS


MISSION STATEMENT
INTRODUCTION
PART ONE: EQUIPMENT USE AND PROCEDURES

REQUIREMENTS

TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP

INDIVIDUAL

ORGANIZATIONAL

EBCTV, INC. ACCESS COURSES AND WORKSHOPS

EQUIPMENT

PROCEDURES

CHECKOUT/RETURN

EDITING/FACILITY USE

USE OF STUDIO/CONTROL AREAS

VIDEOTAPE AND MEDIA STORAGE

COPIES

VIOLATIONS

MAJOR VIOLATIONS

MINOR VIOLATIONS

INTERNS

PART TWO: PROGRAMMING

CHANNEL TIME

CABLECASTING PROCEDURES

PROHIBITIONS AND CLEARANCES

POLITICAL CAMPAIGNING AND COVERAGE

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

SPONSORSHIP CREDITS

PUBLICITY

GRANTS

RIGHT TO REFUSE

EXCEPTIONS


MISSION STATEMENT

Community access television is television for the community and by the community. EBCTV, Inc. will provide: training and technical assistance in the uses of cable TV production and equipment; access to production resources; and time on EBCTV, Inc.'s Public (9) and Educational (58) access channels. These resources are available for the production and presentation of non-commercial programming for the East Bridgewater community. East Bridgewater Community Television is governed by the Board of Directors.

Back to Top


INTRODUCTION

Residents of East Bridgewater as well as organizations affiliated within the town are welcome and encouraged to use EBCTV, Inc. resources. Anyone may request airtime for the presentation of a pre-recorded non-commercial television program. Anyone wishing to communicate with subscribers on the electronic community bulletin board for non-commercial, non-political purposes is welcome to submit their message on a Community Bulletin Board Request Form to the Local Access Director. In addition, EBCTV, Inc. will cablecast public service announcements (PSA's) between programs.

Back to Top


PART ONE: EQUIPMENT USE AND PROCEDURES

1. REQUIREMENTS

To obtain the privilege of using the EBCTV, Inc. resources, a person must:
  • Show proof of East Bridgewater residency or have an affiliation with an East Bridgewater based organization that has become an EBCTV, Inc. organizational member. All members must be directly affiliated with the East Bridgewater chapter/branch in the case of regional, state, or national organizations.
  • Sign an agreement to follow the Policies and Regulations of EBCTV, Inc. as put forth in this document.
Back to Top

2. TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP

Individual - Any East Bridgewater resident may join EBCTV as an Individual Member and receive the following benefits:

  • Free enrollment in video production course
  • Free use of the EBCTV studio and portable equipment for the purpose of producing programming for cablecast on EBCTV channel 9 or East Bridgewater Public Schools channel 58
  • Technical advice and assistance throughout all production
  • Members under the age of 18 must have signed a " parental consent form that will be kept on file at EBCTV.

The Board of Directors may, upon request, waive the membership fee.

    Back to Top

Organizational - Any organization that is based in East Bridgewater, including an East Bridgewater chapter of any state or national organization, is welcome to become a member of EBCTV. Organizational membership includes the following:

  • Receive all the benefits of the Individual Membership
  • Use EBCTV resources to produce programs related to your organization
  • Members under the age of 18 must have signed a " parental consent form" that will be kept on file at EBCTV.

    Back to Top


    3. EBCTV, INC. ACCESS COURSES AND WORKSHOPS

    EBCTV, Inc. Access Courses are offered year round on an on-going basis and are advertised in the members' newsletter and on the EBCTV, Inc. Community Bulletin Board. Workshops and/or individual instruction are offered to familiarize members with new production resources. Workshops and courses are given under the direction of the EBCTV, Inc. staff. A Producer's bulletin board at EBCTV, Inc. is available in the foyer for the use of members and staff. Notice of upcoming workshops, meetings, or crew needs, etc. may be posted on that bulletin board.

    EBCTV, Inc. offers courses covering the following:

  • Basic Studio Production
  • Field Production
  • Editing and Computer Graphics
    Workshops are available on a first come, first serve basis.

    Back to Top


    4. EQUIPMENT

Equipment / Facilities Procedures

      1. Equipment and facilities may be used for making programs for cablecast on the EBCTV, Inc. PEG Channels only. Use of equipment for commercial purposes is prohibited.
      2. Anyone who produces programming using EBCTV, Inc. access facilities and equipment retains ownership of the copyrights to that program. However, EBCTV, Inc. retains the master and reserves the right to replay all or part of the program over the channels at its discretion.
      3. EBCTV, Inc. equipment may only be used by a member of East Bridgewater Community Television, Inc., who has agreed to comply with EBCTV, Inc. Policies and Regulations, and has completed training pursuant to the policies and regulations. Equipment must be utilized in a safe and responsible manner at all times.
      4. Users should identify themselves as public access producers and volunteers, not as staff or employees of EBCTV, Inc.
      5. Users under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian fill out and sign the "Parental consent portion of the compliance form," which must be on file at EBCTV, Inc.
      6. Producers are expected to keep any equipment/facility/edit suites/studio reservations and arrive on time for such reservations. Members should give a 24-hour notice when canceling any reserved use of EBCTV, Inc. facilities, studio, or classes. If a member is more than 30 minutes late without notification and approval, any reservation may be canceled.
      7. Do not attempt to repair equipment yourself. Only EBCTV, Inc. staff can authorize repair of any kind to the equipment. Any problems with the equipment must be brought to the attention of the staff immediately. The user is responsible for any damage done to equipment by misuse.
      8. Members are expected to clean up after themselves when using EBCTV, Inc. facilities.
      9. Eating or drinking is allowed in designated areas only.
      10. No animals are allowed in the building, with the exception of handicapped assistance dogs, without the approval of the Local Access Director.
      11. Any alterations or additions to EBCTV, Inc. equipment at any time is off limits unless each occurrence is authorized by the EBCTV, Inc. staff.

      Back to Top

Equipment Sign-Out Remote Equipment Check-out/Return Procedures

      1. All remote equipment must be checked out/in by EBCTV, Inc. staff.
      2. Equipment must be returned at the time indicated on the equipment check out form.
      3. In order to sign out equipment, users must sign all required forms.
      4. It is suggested that producers set up and test the equipment before leaving. All first time users are required to set-up the equipment before they are allowed to check it out.
      5. Members are reminded that equipment must not be left unattended or left overnight in a car.
      6. EBCTV staff reserves the right to limit the amount of equipment which any one individual or group may reserve.
      7. Reservations are made based on availability.
      8. Users are responsible for notifying staff that equipment has been returned. If there are any problems with equipment, the user should fill out equipment failure report.
      9. Users may not borrow additional equipment until all items have been returned in good working order.

      Back to Top

Editing /Facility Usage

      1. A producer must be properly trained in order to schedule and use the editing suites or facilities.
      2. Requests and cancellations for use of EBCTV, Inc. editing suites or facilities shall be made with the staff.
      3. Users under the age of 18 who wish to schedule the editing suites or facilities must have written permission from their parent or guardian, on file.
      4. Producers are encouraged to limit use of the studio or editing facilities to a 4-hour block of time.
      5. A time may be reassigned if the producer is more than a half hour late, without notification.

      Back to Top

Use of the Studio/Control areas

      1. A producer must be trained for studio production prior to scheduling use of the studio and control room.
      2. Reservations for the studio and control room should be made with the staff prior to use.
      3. Scheduled studio time should include time needed to set up, break down and clean up in studio. It is generally good practice to allow at least one (1) hour before and after the time needed to tape the actual production for set up and clean up of the studio.
      4. Users under 18 who wish to schedule the studio or participate in a studio production must have written permission from a parent or guardian, on file.
      5. Producers are responsible for assembling their own crews for the production. EBCTV, Inc. staff should not be expected to fill in as crew for productions. Staff will, however, help crew programs when the schedule permits.
      6. Crew position assignments are the responsibility of the community producer. All studio crew must be trained or approved by the EBCTV, Inc. staff.
      7. Producers who cancel studio time should do so at least 24 hours in advance of the production.

      Back to Top

Videotape and Media Storage

EBCTV will provide one videotape for raw footage purposes and one videotape for a program master per project. Additional tapes may be obtained from EBCTV by the member as needed. EBCTV staff reserves the right to limit the number of tapes provided to any one member, and also reserves the right to request the return of all raw footage tapes after program completion. Members then have the option to purchase their raw footage tapes, if they choose, at a discount from retail.

      Back to Top


      5. COPIES

      Any producer who wishes to have a copy of the master tape of their program may make one copy with EBCTV, Inc. equipment at any time that does not interfere with production. Community members may purchase program copies for a $10.00 donation to EBCTV, Inc.
      Members are reminded that equipment must not be left unattended or left overnight in a car or in a manner that might damage the equipment. Equipment may not be used in hazardous situations without prior approval of the EBCTV, Inc. staff. If equipment is stolen, a police report must be filed immediately.

      Members covering public meetings that are the responsibility of EBCTV, Inc. are not responsible for accidental damage of equipment. However, normal care and precautions should be taken during the set up, taping, and dismantling of the equipment. The equipment should be returned to the studio after the shoot or locked in a pre-approved designated area at the site of the shoot.

      Back to Top


6. VIOLATIONS

      MAJOR VIOLATIONS will result in an immediate suspension of membership. These may include, but are not limited to:
  • Verbal or physical abuse of staff or other members
  • Possession or use of illegal substances (including alcohol) and or weapons on the premises of EBCTV, Inc.
  • Intentional destruction of equipment
  • Installation or downloading of any software of file on an EBCTV computer.

      MINOR VIOLATIONS may result in a verbal warning, or a suspension of privileges. These may include, but are not limited to:
  • Misrepresentation to others of member's status or affiliation with EBCTV, Inc.
  • Failure to thoroughly clean up and neatly put away all equipment after using EBCTV, Inc. facilities
  • Having food or drink in non-eating areas
  • Handling off limits equipment, i.e., playback equipment
  • Use of equipment without staff permission
  • Late pick up or return of equipment without notification and approval
  • Use of EBCTV, Inc. facilities and/or equipment for the sole purpose of profit making.
  • Smoking in EBCTV, Inc. facilities
  • Attempted repair of equipment

      Back to Top

      7. INTERNS

      EBCTV, Inc. will accept interns at the discretion of the Board of Directors and the Executive Director. Membership fees are waived during the period of the internship in exchange for assisting in EBCTV programming. Interns must abide by all EBCTV Policies and Regulations. Interns receive special production and cablecasting assignments and take on special responsibilities. Some colleges give credit for these internships. Interns are interviewed, selected and supervised by EBCTV staff. Students receiving college or high school credits are encouraged to intern.

    Back to Top

    PART TWO - PROGRAMMING

    1. CHANNEL TIME

    Because EBCTV, Inc. acknowledges the effort and time of volunteer producers, EBCTV, Inc. will make every effort to cablecast their programs multiple times. Those wishing to have programming placed on EBCTV, Inc. are to submit a Cablecast Request Form two weeks in advance. Consideration will be given to special requests for time slots. Requests for a time slot (single program) and for consistent time slots (program series) will be honored within the constraints of scheduling. However, first run programs will have priority over re-runs in scheduling. EBCTV, Inc. reserves the right to assign time slots for all programs and make changes to the schedule as needed. Producers may request a time slot, but final scheduling is at the discretion of EBCTV, Inc. and may change without notice. EBCTV, Inc.'s programming schedule endeavors to reflect sensitivity to age appropriate time slots.

    Back to Top


    2. CABLECASTING PROCEDURESBefore cablecasting, all videotapes must be clearly labeled on the box and cassette with the:
  • Producer's name
  • Title of program
  • Date to begin airing
  • Date when program becomes obsolete (if applicable)
  • Total run time
    The beginning of all cablecast programs must contain the standard format on the leader tape:
  • :30 of color bars
  • :10 of black
  • Countdown
    The end of all cablecast programs must have 30 seconds of black.

    EBCTV, Inc.'s staff reserves the right to withhold cablecasting of programs that do not meet adequate technical standards:

  • All programming must be submitted on DVCAM, 1/2" high quality VHS, SVHS, or 3/4" format videotape.
  • Audio quality of all videotapes must be constant and of sufficient level to permit adequate reproduction by transmission equipment.
  • Producers must fill out and sign a Cablecast Request Form with every program submitted for cablecast, unless the program is part of an ongoing series.
    SERIES PROGRAM: A series program is one that is produced on a regular basis. Failure to maintain production of a series will result in loss of time slot. Series program producers must fill out a Cablecast Request Form upon submitting the first program for cablecast. A Cablecast Request Form must be signed and submitted with the tape.

    Back to Top


    3. PROHIBITIONS and CLEARANCES

    Users of EBCTV, Inc. and program producers are fully responsible for the content of all program material. The following material is prohibited by law:
  • Any obscene, libelous, or slanderous material
  • Any lottery information
  • Any materials designed to promote the sale of commercial products and services
  • Any invasion of privacy
  • Any violation of trademarks, copyright, or publicity rights which might violate any
  • local, state, or federal laws
  • Any illegal activity
    Users must obtain in writing, i.e., Talent Release Form and Minors Permission Form and produce upon request all necessary approvals, clearances, licenses, etc. for the use of any program material which the user cablecasts, including but not limited to, broadcast stations, networks, music licensing organizations, performer's representatives, and any and all other persons as may be necessary for authorization to cablecast program material. A responsible adult shall execute the necessary assurances that authorization has been obtained concerning use of any equipment by a minor and/or appearance of any minor on a cablecast program. Such adults shall be responsible for liability resulting from the use of equipment or any appearance by a minor.

    Back to Top


    4. POLITICAL CAMPAIGNING AND COVERAGE

    Political candidates are subject to the same policies and regulations as other users of the public access channel. The nature of public access is that everyone in the community has equal access to the facilities and channel time. Advocacy, debate, and election coverage will cease at 10 p.m. the night prior to an election. Political or election programming will not resume until the polls are officially closed.

    Back to Top


    5. COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

    The EBCTV Community Bulletin Board is to be used by non-profit and community groups to publicize activities and events. Messages from East Bridgewater based organizations will receive priority to those from non-East Bridgewater organizations. Space permitting, messages will run for up to 6 weeks prior to an event.

    Back to Top


    6. SPONSORSHIP CREDITS

    Commercial advertising is prohibited from the channels. Acknowledgment of underwriting by businesses, organizations or grantors providing monetary or other assistance to the making of the program may be included in the program credits. Some language restrictions apply. Sponsorship credits may not include qualitative or comparative language, price information or other indications of value or savings, a call to action, an endorsement or inducement to buy, sell, rent or lease a sponsor's product or service. EBCTV staff must be consulted as to the proper language for crediting program sponsors.

    Individual or for-profit sponsors are permitted only if the sponsor does not have or appear to have editorial control, or the right to editorial control, over the program being sponsored. Individual or for-profit sponsors must also meet at least one of the following conditions:

There must not be or appear to be a direct connection between the interest, product or services of the sponsor and the subject of a program or series.

The program or series content is not blatantly promotional or self-congratulatory.

    Back to Top


    7. PUBLICITY

    EBCTV, Inc. staff can publicize programs in two ways. Two weeks notice is needed for an announcement to be listed on the electronic bulletin board. In addition, producers are encouraged to work with the staff in the preparation of promos for upcoming programs.

    Back to Top


    8. GRANTS

    Any individual or group submitting a proposal for grant funding for a project which involves use of the EBCTV, Inc. facility must notify the EBCTV, Inc. Local Access Director. Moneys from grants may be used to pay for equipment, crew, producer, rentals, etc. at the discretion of the person who received the grant. All programs using EBCTV, Inc. facilities must credit East Bridgewater Community Television, Inc.

    Back to Top


    9. RIGHT TO REFUSE

    EBCTV reserves the right for its staff to refuse the use of facilities, equipment or services to any individual who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs or who interferes with the orderly conduct of business.

    Back to Top


    10. EXCEPTIONS

    EBCTV's staff and Board of Directors occasionally make exceptions to the above rules. Prior approval is required.

    Back to Top

 

Copyright 2002-2005, East Bridgewater Community Television, Inc. All Rights Reserved

This Page was last modified 3/30/05

Website Design by Bangzoom Productions