I know Dallas IMedia, the public access community television channel, does good work. And I know Lisa Hembry does good work. But Lisa’s email below the jump, asking me to campaign to keep Dallas IMedia’s current city subsidy, raises two points. First, is cutting her subsidy “an attack on free speech”? Is the city obligated to subsidize other people’s opinions? I thought it was the other way around, that the city was obligated not to interfere with other people’s opinions. Second, should organizations receiving citizens’ money use some of that money to campaign to get more of it? It’s bad enough that municipalities like the City of Dallas can use taxpayer money to lobby the Legislature for, say, higher property taxes. Is it proper for organizations receiving city dollars to campaign for more city dollars? Will l soon be receiving urgent emails from the water department?
| Yes, We Will! Save Community Television in Dallas. |  | Mobilize at Town Hall Meetings August 2008 |
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Dear Wick, Every great city in America, “land of the free and home of the brave,” supports public access to cable television channels. As a model urban city, Dallas should be no different. Once again, I am personally asking you for your immediate action to SAVE community television. The time is NOW, the situation is CRITICAL. Unless iMedia’s budget is restored, our voice will be silenced…and the attack on our free speech will continue to accelerate. Here is a snapshot of how the city has deteriorated iMedia’s contract value over the last several years: Â
This drastic funding reduction may well end public access television in Dallas. iMedia funding must be restored to the bare minimum 2008 level of $300,000. City Council Members are holding Town Hall Meetings in your neighborhood to listen to citizen concerns. This is an emergency. Please attend and SPEAK. Ask for funding to be reinstated to at least $300,000 for public access television in our community. See the Town Hall Meeting link to the right. Also, mark your calendar to attend the final budget hearings and vote, in Council Chambers, on the following Wednesdays:
   Public access television helps local government fulfill its societal obligations. The members of the Dallas City Council need to know YOU and hear YOU say public access television matters in our city! Call 214.670.3738 at least 24 hours in advance to register to speak at the three City Council meetings listed above. In addition, it is vital that you call, or email Mayor Leppert and all city council representatives. THE TIME IS NOW, THE SITUATION IS CRITICAL! THE MAYOR AND DALLAS CITY COUNCIL MUST HEAR YOUR VOICE. DALLAS IMEDIA NETWORK MATTERS TO OUR CITY! YES, WE WILL! Save community television in Dallas. Call me to let me know that I can count on you. Thank you for your help, Lisa Hembry P.S. Please forward this e-newsletter on to your friends and colleagues.    |
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