PACTV is a public access TV station, meaning it is programmed by the residents of Plymouth and Kingston who choose to place programming on one of our three channels. Most of the programming you see on PACTV is actually produced by members of our community -- either private individuals, community-based organizations, or the town government.

This public access station is an electronic forum for free expression by the residents of Plymouth and Kingston. Sometimes, viewers tell me "There ought to be a law about what I saw on PACTV last night!" There IS a law: the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and its guarantee that "Congress shall pass no law abridging the freedom of speech..." Basically, any resident of Plymouth or Kingston is free to say or do anything he or she wants on their own PACTV program, provided that they can assure us that their program does nor contain any illegal content.

We have agreed to maintain a public forum for the free expression of ideas -- even ideas you or I might despise! -- as long as we prohibit all of the following types of content in programs:

1. Commercials or advertising
2. Libel or slander
3. Obscenity and pornography
4. Any violation of copyrights, publicity rights, or invasion of privacy
5. Any violation of FCC regulations
6. any violation of any local, state, or federal law.

If you see something on this channel which does not fall into one of the above categories, but which upsets you anyway, you have the right to join us at PACTV, and learn how to produce your own program or message on the channel, to counteract the programming that upset you. As Supreme Court Justice Brandeis said: "...avert the evil by the process of education... the remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced silence."

If you'd like to know how the FCC defines obscenity, and the very different type of content called "indecency," you may read their Consumer Fact Sheet at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/obscene.html While PACTV is not directly regulated by this FCC policy, which is applied to broadcasters like the local network stations, we do follow this policy, especially as concerns the scheduling of so-called adult programming after 10 PM.

If you have any questions about PACTV's programming or policies, you may call me at 508-830-6999 ext. 11, or write to me at:

Nancy Richard, Executive Director
PACTV
130 Court Street Rear
Plymouth, MA  02360

PS--Thanks to Paul Berg, Executive Director of NewTV in Newton for the content of the above!