WHC-TV Rules, Policies and Procedures
WHAT IS WEST HARTFORD COMMUNITY
TELEVISION? West Hartford Community Television,
an independent, non-profit community-based public access, government, and educational cable station,
facilitates communication among all West Hartford residents. At the station, we train community volunteers
in video production and we manage the services and resources necessary to create
and air programs, locally produced, which inform, educate, entertain, and persuade.
Through West Hartford Community Television, community members can also
submit public service announcement messages for the station’s electronic
community calendar. West Hartford Community Television
(WHC-TV) is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of West Hartford citizens.
Funding for equipment, staff, and supplies is provided by donations from
individuals, groups, businesses, and corporations. PRIORITY “HOMEGROWN”
PROGRAMMING West Hartford Community Television
provides an alternative to other broadcast and cable stations by presenting non-commercial,
locally produced programming. “Locally produced” programming
is material suitable for telecast created by West Hartford residents certified
to use WHC-TV equipment, by West Hartford residents using their own equipment
to videotape West Hartford activities and events, or WHC-TV produced community
program such as debates, town meetings and events. WEST HARTFORD COMMUNITY TELEVISION
PROGRAM CONTENT The content of a program is
determined exclusively by the producer.
All producers must assume responsibility for the format of the programs
they produce. Although WHC-TV is
“neutral;” regarding the positions taken
on programs, when programming is controversial in nature, WHC-TV will always
attempt to permit the airing of opposing views in a timely and balanced manner.
Producers must assert that their programs do not violate local, state,
or federal laws by signing WHC-TV’s “Agreement with Policies” contract
which must be signed and submitted prior to the initial cablecast of each show. PROGRAM STANDARDS Completed programs may be
rejected for poor technical quality, or noncompliance with WHC-TV technical standards
and production requirements as set forth in section II.B.3 of the “Rules
and Procedures,” or for containing material which violates the “Agreement with Policies” contract. No producer or provider of programming
my use the access channel or equipment for the monetary gain of the producer or
any other individual or entity. Producers
are advised that they may be subject
to personal legal liability for any program containing the material listed below;
in addition, West Hartford Community Television will not knowingly
telecast the following: a. A lottery or any advertisement
or information concerning a lottery or game of chance; b. Any presentation of advertising
material designed to promote the sale of commercial products or services; c. Any solicitation or appeal
for funds; d. Any obscene material; e. Any material of an explicitly
sexual nature; f. Any material which has a reasonable
probability of creating an immediate danger of damage to property, injury to person(s)
or creating a public nuisance; g. Any material that is defamatory,
infringes on copyright or trademark laws, or would otherwise subject the station
to legal liability. WEST HARTFORD COMMUNITY TELEVISION A. Resources Single and multiple camera
production units and editing and studio facilities are available on a first-come,
first serve basis to all West Hartford residents for the purpose of producing
programs for the West Hartford channel. Studio time is available at no cost to
certified producers. Staff will help to arrange for a volunteer studio crew. If
a resident wants to have a production taped on location, the resident must be
certified to use the portable equipment, find a certified volunteer prepared to
do the videotaping, or pay for the event to be covered according to rates established
by WHC-TV. The producer/host is held responsible for content, format, guests,
set design, props, and all arrangements before the taping, and for the completion
of the program by the scheduled telecast date. B. Eligibility Any legal resident of West
Hartford is eligible to use WHC-TV’s resources provided that: 1. The individual has successfully completed
a WHC-TV production workshop or a proficiency test conducted by WHC-TV staff; 2. The individual is producing a program
that is non-commercial and has WHC-TV viewers as its targeted and primary audience. C. Procedures for Producing a Program In order to accommodate as
many producers as possible, it is necessary for everyone to be consistent in following
these established procedures: 1. Producers are required to submit a completed
“Program Proposal” form before being assigned a firm studio taping date
or reserving portable equipment or editing time. 2. Along with the Program Proposal, all producers
must sign and submit the “Agreement with Policies”. This must be done for each program, even
if it is part of a monthly series. 3. When using any WHC-TV equipment, the producer
must sign in and out in the “Equipment Log Book”. 4. Programs will not be scheduled for telecast
until all of the paper work has been received by the staff and the taping date
has been confirmed. 5. A producer may not substitute a non-locally
produced tape (less than 80% locally produced), or one produced by someone else,
for a proposed and scheduled locally produced program. 6. In the event that a program does not get
completed by the scheduled telecast date or rules and procedures are not complied
with, the Executive Director may fill the allotted time slot with other programming. Producers reserve facilities
and equipment and set appointments for check-outs with WHC-TV staff on a first-come,
first-served basis, limiting each producer to one studio slot and one production
each month until every request is accommodated. 1. Studio Tapings Producers are required to
arrive fifteen minutes before the appointed time; they are responsible for greeting
their guests and for having them sign the “Broadcast Clearance” form.
Producers are responsible for set design, graphics design, and choice of music,
and should be prepared to begin the production at the appointed time and should
be prepared to complete the production during the assigned studio and control
room time slot. 2. Field Productions Producers are required to
arrive at the appointed check-out time and complete and sign the equipment contract.
The staff will inform producers of the check-in time. The producer is responsible
for determining that the equipment is in working condition at the time of check-out;
designated crew members are the only persons authorized to operate the equipment
and their names must listed on the “Equipment Sign-Out Contract.” E. Ownership Master tapes are the property
of WHC-TV; copyright of programs will be retained by the station. Copies are available
for purchase after the program has been aired on WHC-TV. Master tapes will be
kept approximately nine months, after which they may be erased and re-used. F. Producers of Minor Age Certified producers under
18 years of age must have a parent or legal guardian co-sign the “Agreement
with Policies”. Certified producers under the age of 14 must have a responsible
person over age 18 accompany them during all equipment use. The adult and minor
co-sign the equipment sign-out contract; the adult accepts responsibility for
loss or damage of equipment on behalf of the minor. G. Procedures for Using Editing Equipment Producers may reserve more
than one editing session, depending on the post-production requirements of the
program, up to a maximum of six hours for a 1/2 hour studio production and twelve
hours for a 1/2 hour field production. Additional time remains on a first-come,
first-served basis. 1. Off-line Editing in Edit Suite Producers may reserve editing
time at least one day in advance by asking staff to assign a start and stop time
on the “Edit Calendar” for a maximum of three hours. Producers must
claim their reservation no later than 15 minutes after the scheduled starting
time or their reservation will be forfeited.
Editors must vacate the facility by the completion of their reserved time
unless the following time is unreserved or the next editor has not claimed his/her
reserved time. 2. On-Line Editing in Control Room Control room editing time
must be reserved with staff and is subject to the guidelines that apply to off-line
editing. H. Work Tapes Producers are entitled to
a maximum of three work tapes per 1/2 hour program. All tapes must be labeled
and put away in the assigned area of the office. Work tapes will be erased and
re-used upon completion of the program. Producers are asked to cancel
with early notification to enable staff to assign the equipment or facilities
time to another producer. No dubs of any program will
be available to producer, talent, crew, or community members until after initial
telecast of the program on WHC-TV. Thereafter, dubs will be made available according
to established fees. No one will receive a free dub; no exceptions. However, producers
are entitled to one copy at reduced cost. The staff reserves the right
to refuse service to any person whose actions hinder the activities of other producers
or staff; such persons may be asked to leave the facility. This denial of service
may be appealed in writing to the WHC-TV Board of Directors. Office supplies and office
equipment located at WHC-TV or in Town Hall are not available for use by producers.
We ask that telephone calls be kept to a minimum; no long distance calls may be
made. II. Channel Use WEST HARTFORD PROGRAMMING - Telecast
1-3 times (depending on length) during Prime Time [7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.] (and
telecast at any other time within the discretion of WHC-TV staff). The content
of all West Hartford programs must
be at least 80% locally produced by a local producer with his/her own equipment
or by a certified producer with WHC-TV equipment. Programs of this nature require a disclaimer at the end identifying the West Hartford resident who has requested the program’s telecast (see sample disclaimer on page 6) and the same West Hartford resident must sign the “Agreement with Policies” to assume liability for the program’s content. OTHER PROGRAMMING - Telecast one time in non-prime time, only as time permits on a first-come, first-served basis; may be clustered with like programs (and telecast at any other time within the discretion of WHC-TV staff): programs in which less than 80% of the program length is locally produced. Programs of this nature require a disclaimer at the end identifying the West Hartford resident who has requested the program’s telecast (see sample disclaimer on page 6) and the same West Hartford resident must sign the “Agreement with Policies” to assume liability for the program’s content. A taped introduction by the West Hartford resident is recommended and can be produced at West Hartford Community Television. Any programming in this category may be rejected in favor of a West Hartford Program on the same topic. The station reserves
the right to make changes in the schedule without notice; for example, programs
may be preempted by live programming. The date and time of any cablecast is within
the exclusive discretion of the Executive Director; every attempt will be made
to honor requests. All programs must be accompanied
by a signed “Agreement with Policies” and be delivered to the station
no later than noon of the day four weeks prior to the desired telecast date. The
producer/provider must agree in writing to indemnify and hold harmless West Hartford
Community Television, its staff, and Board of Directors from any and all claims,
demands, damages, or other liabilities, including legal fees and expenses that
may arise as a result of cablecasting the program. 1. Rules, Violations, and Loss of Privileges If a producer/provider submits
a program that violates the terms of the “Agreement with Policies”,
that program is not eligible to be scheduled or aired on West Hartford Community
Television. 2. Program Content, Compliments, and Complaints WHC-TV will periodically carry
announcements advising viewers with questions or comments about program content
to call or write the station. Staff will document comments and communicate viewer
response to the program producer. In the event that a complaining party threatens
litigation, subsequent airing of the program will be postponed until compliance
with the program contract can be verified. 3. Technical Standards and Production Requirements All programs must conform
to WHC-TV technical standards including the following sequence from beginning
to end: one minute of black, a disclaimer (see page 6), followed by opening titles;
programs must have uninterrupted control track; must end with closing credits,
and a disclaimer (see page 6) be cleaned to the end of the tape with black. Any material requested to be telecast
may be rejected if, in the opinion of the WHC-TV staff, the material is of poor
technical quality. C. Community Calendar The Community Calendar is
available for public service announcements (PSA’s). West Hartford organizations
and individuals may submit PSA’s to promote West Hartford events and services.
PSA’s must be for non-profit purposes. Staff may edit announcements to fit
the limited space on the screen. It is not possible for WHC-TV to post all announcements
received, nor is the station responsible for any errors or omissions in the content
of the announcements. 1. Procedures a. Announcements must be received two weeks
in advance of the desired play date; b. The person submitting the announcement
must provide WHC-TV with his/her name, phone number, and the name of the organization. 2. Content Requirements a. The announcement text should include:
who, what, where, when, and a “for more information” phone number; b. Announcements must include a desired start
and stop date; ongoing announcements must be resubmitted monthly; c. Announcements may not include
ticket prices but may state “for ticket info, call”; d. Announcements may not solicit
funds, mention businesses, for-profit
organizations or website addresses. D. Political Messages by and for Candidates First priority will be given
to locally produced programs which offer an equal opportunity forum for all candidates
eligible to be on the ballot for a particular local office. During the three weeks
prior or an election or primary election, prime time will be devoted solely to
programming produced by or in conjunction with WHC-TV. E. Loss of Privileges WHC-TV’s Executive Director,
staff, and Board of Directors are responsible for the management of WHC-TV on
behalf of all the citizens of West Hartford. The use of the station’s valuable
equipment is a privilege. Breakage, negligence, or tardiness in returning equipment,
or failure to abide by WHC-TV’s policies and procedures may result in loss
of WHC-TV privileges. F. Grievance Policy Grievances
will be dealt with according to the established procedures outlined in the station’s
“Statement
of Grievance Procedures”, on file at WHC-TV. The
opinions expressed on the following program are not necessarily those of this
station’s board of directors or staff.
Opposing viewpoints are welcome.
Contact your local community access station for more
information. CLOSING DISCLAIMER (Required) – West Hartford ProgrammingThe preceding program was produced by __________, a resident of West Hartford. Questions
or comments on the content of the programming may be directed to ___________ through
West Hartford Community Television, 561-1260. CLOSING DISCLAIMER (Required) – Other ProgrammingThe preceding program was provided by __________, a resident of West Hartford. Questions or comments on the content of the programming may be directed to ___________ through West Hartford Community Television, 561-1260. Hi, my name is _____ and I am a resident of West Hartford. I have requested that West Hartford Community Television play the tape you are about to see which deals with the topic of ____. It was produced at_____ . Thank you for watching. |
