Commercialism Does Not Belong

0ne of the many challenges facing 'Olelo is the misuse of Public, Educational and Governmental (PEG) access equipment and facilities to create commercial programming. In Hawai'i, PEG access facilities are made available specifically for the purpose of creating noncommercial programs for distribution on the PEG access cable channels. Therefore, making sure that 'Olelo's resources are not used for commercial purposes is of significant importance. In an effort to reconfirm our commitment to eliminating such misuse of our resources, 'Olelo is increasing its effort to deter commercial use of PEG access resources.

Monitoring commercial use of the PEG access facilities is complex because we do not have control over program content, nor is 'Olelo involved in negotiations a producer may have with potential sponsors or clients. Additionally, it is difficult to monitor every program that is shown on the five access channels. Commercial programs are identified only when we are notified of them by way of staff or public viewing.

To assist 'Olelo in identifying commercial programs, we will create on-channel announcements to clearly communicate the non-commercial nature of the channels to viewers. We will also enlist the assistance and cooperation of PEG access participants to help eliminate commercialism. In conjunction, we will revise our policies and increase sanctions against commercialism violators.

Whereas, 'Olelo used to use a three-strikes-and-you're-out rule against producers of commercial programs, we will now employ a stricter policy. Effective immediately, (middle of October '97) with the first occurrence of a major commercialism violation the producer will have his or her access privileges suspended for a minimum of one year. An example of a major commercialism violation is when a program sponsor, producer or guest has a commercial interest in the content of the program. (A sponsor is anyone who provides funding for a production either in the form of cash or significant product exchange.) The producer will also be responsible for reimbursing 'Olelo for the use of its facilities to create the commercial program. Refer to the article after this one for details on reimbursement processes.

To help producers and technicians better understand the often complicated issue of commercialism, '0lelo will be conducting special workshops. All PEG access participants are encouraged to attend. Producers are also urged to contact their Community Project Managers at any point in a produc-tion-although prior to starting is best-to review commercialism policies and avoid possible suspension of privileges.

Reimbursement for Commercial Use of 'Olelo's Facilities

When 'Olelo's facilities and services are used for the creation and distribution (via the cable channels) of non-commercial program, the cost for production is minimal. 'Olelo does have a policy, however, that requires a producer to reimburse 'Olelo for its services should it be determined that 'Olelo facilities were used to create commercial programming. As an example, if a producer created a monthly commercial program using field and edit equipment for a period of one year, reimbursement to 'Olelo for the use of its facilities could run approximately $34,000, not including the cost of channel time.

Current reimbursement rates for the use of the production facilities at 'Olelo are:

Studio $1,500 per four-hour session

Field Unit $800 per twenty-four-hour session

Edit Bay $300 per four-hour session

EFP Van $4,000 per eight-hour session

(Air Time Expense should be listed also, and is "G" & "E" equipment being refered to as well as 'Olelo's in house equipment?)

These rates are subject to change without prior notice. The point here is that 'Olelo's production equipment and facilities are made available without fees to make it possible for members of the community to create non-commercial programming. Individuals who use PEG access facilities for commercial purposes, take away resources from other producers and compromise the mission of community access. 'Olelo's interest is to make sure that its services are used in a manner that is fair and equitable, while preserving the mission of access.