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● Introduction & Index ● What is PR ● Job Expectations ● Types of Media ● Building Relationships ● Media, Hams & FCC Rules ● The Basic News Release ● Interviews and Live ● Making your own show ● Easy P.R. ● Public Service Events ● Piggy-back to Events ● Pictures NOW! ● P.R. Research Aids ● Making Friends ● ARES® PIO ● Final Exam Information Next Page

PEG Channel rules and regulations vary widely by franchising authority. Along with Federal and State regulations, the specific access requirements for a particular area are usually written into the cable operator’s franchise agreement. All PEG channels abide by the FCC regulations. These stipulate that PEG programming must be non-commercial; contain no obscene or indecent material; and do not constitute a lottery or raffle. A fundamental principal of public access is that, apart from for these specific exceptions, is that the Cable operator has no control over programming content. Who can use these PEG channels? PEG channels are reserved for use by members of the community where the cable operator is franchised to operate. If you want to use the production and/or playback facilities, you are usually required to be a resident of the franchise area. In most areas the “G” or Governmental channel is reserved for programs about local or regional government or government agencies such as the Town Library. This is the channel where you would most likely see your local Town Council Meeting. The “E” or educational channel is reserved for programming from the local school system. Sometimes the lines between the channels become blurred, particularly in smaller cable systems. However, while there may be some programming about Amateur Radio that could run on the E or G channel, most Amateur Radio long form (more than a minute) programming runs on the “P” or Public Access Channel. How Are Public Access Facilities Structured and Managed? Depending on the cable operator’s franchise agreement, there are different types of operating structures for the Public Access Channel. The most common model is that the cable operator manages the “P” channel. The cable operator supplies the training, equipment and staff to facilitate public access in their franchise area. Usually, the cable system has a Public Access Manager on staff to assist prospective users. Formal training classes are offered to the general public. Studio time, editing time, and production equipment are made available to Public Access users once they have been trained and certified by the cable television operator. These Public Access studios are usually located in a building owned by the cable operator.