Objectives | Types
of Programs | Access
Policy | Promotions
| Political Programming
Editing Policy | Use
of Equipment | Retention/Ownership
of Tapes | Adoption
Date
POLICY STATEMENT
The Miami Township Government Access Channel (MTGAC), is a Public, Educational, Governmental (P.E.G.) Access
Channel as provided for under the Cable Communications Act if 1984, Section 531, and the Miami Township cable
franchise agreement with Time Warner Cable. The MTGAC is operated and administered by the Miami Township Board
of Trustees, herein referred to as the "Board". Programming policies are subject to the approval and review of the Board.
Miami Township will maintain the MTGAC, Channel 8 on the Time Warner Cable System, for Township, Education, and
other government sanctioned events. MTGAC is considered a Government Access Channel and it will be limited to
specific events, meetings, or activities that are sanctioned by Miami Township, local school district's serving Miami
Township, or other designated governmental bodies. It is not intended as a political forum nor as a mechanism for
building support for a particular policy, program, or issue not supported by the majority of the Board.
The programming policy for the MTGAC shall be to provide Township residents with direct, non-editorial information
concerning government services, programs, and activities. Programming will also include educational material
sponsored by Miami Township or local school district's serving Miami Township.
OBJECTIVES
(1) To expand community awareness of local government and its decision-making processes
(2) To provide comprehensive information about programs and services offered to Township residents by Township
government departments.
(3) To provide information pertinent to Miami Township residents from other local, educational, state and federal
governmental entities.
(4) To provide educational and public informational materials to Township residents through cable cast presentations.
(5) To improve emergency communications in the event of disaster or widespread service disruption.
TYPES OF PROGRAMS
Taped-Delayed Broadcast - Taped meetings, shows and other special events will be scheduled into open times between
live broadcasts. Miami Township reserves the right to determine if the event will be aired live or taped for replay at a later
date and time. Taped-broadcast times will be determined by the Township Administrator or duly authorized staff
member.
Staff Originated Programming - Programs produced by Township departments, issues related to Township government or
about groups/committees/boards, etc., that are affiliated with Township government.
Bulletin-Board Information - Character generated messages related to Township government activities, programs, services
and events sponsored by Miami Township, local school district's serving Miami Township, or other designated
governmental bodies. This service will operate 24 hours a day when other programming is not scheduled.
ACCESS POLICY
All programming over the MTGAC must be government or education related. Programs may include meetings, activities,
programs, services and events of Township departments and services, local school district's serving Miami TOwnship, or
other government entities. Final approval of all requests will be made by the Township Administrator, who administers
the program for Miami Township.
The MTGAC is not to be utilized for announcements from the general public. Access to the channel shall be limited to
Miami Township, local school district's serving Miami Township, or other designated governmental bodies functions and
operations. Utilization of the channel for personal gain will not be permitted.
PROMOTIONS
Promotional announcements for
Township-sponsored events, programs and activities will be permitted
over the MTGAC.
Promotional announcements for
events, charities, or outside organizations in which the Township has
no official interest
of sponsorship shall not be
permitted.
POLITICAL PROGRAMMING
No political programming will be
permitted on the MTGAC with the exception of providing factual
information on any ballot
issue directly affecting Miami
Township voters.
EDITING POLICY
Any videotape submitted to Miami
Township may be modified or edited as appropriate. Messages
programmed into the
bulletin board portion of Channel
8 may be submitted by appropriate Government departments or
agencies. Editing by
the Township Administrator or
duly authorized staff member to provide clarity and maximum
utilization of pages available
may be required. Miami
Township shall not be held responsible for the accuracy of any
information over the channel that
was submitted by outside sources.
USE OF TOWNSHIP EQUIPMENT
Township-owned video and audio equipment shall be restricted to authorized Township activities, and its use shall be
restricted to employees of Miami Township, or trained personnel under direction of the Township Administrator. Loaning
of equipment for personal or outside use shall not be permitted.
RETENTION OF OWNERSHIP OF TAPES
All videotapes shall become the property of Miami Township. It shall be a general policy to not retain all videotapes fo
staff produced programs, meetings, and events. At any time, tapes may be reused and the original material erased, at
the discretion of the Township Administrator. Videotapes may be copied to a digital media, but shall not be considered
an official public record and there shall be no liability for inadvertent erasure or omissions. Copies requested by the
public will cost $10.00 per event that is contained on one (1) videotape.
*** Adopted by the Miami Township Board of Trustees on April 16, 2002. ***