Oral History Project for Public Access TV Centers
February 4th, 2007
It seems to me that a worthwhile project would be to start an oral history project for people who have worked in public access TV. A public online forum where access workers and producers can share stories about their experiences in cable access TV and the communities they served. A behind the scenes look at the people and places involved for archival purposes on the web and to share stories with others working in community media around the world.
I think this would be important for several reasons. Most importantly, it would be a great resource if we find ourselves without cable access TV in the future.
This is a great idea. I would like to also see/hear the community members using their public access stations. In addition to being an archive, such a collection could be a testament to the value of public access in the community, to be used in the fight to preserve its funding!
Exactly.
It would be great if the project could be connected to a site like PEG Space or Mapping Access. Would be even better if stories that were shared on a website, could also be shared on access channels in local communities.
I think the power of access and the internet is in the potential to use both channels of communication.
Wondering how a project like this could get off the ground?
Hey Colin,
Oh yeah, this is a great idea. Both Ben & I will have matching (not on purpose) audio recorders and I’m curious to see how to use them for storytelling projects…Maybe we can interview Hiram?!
-Danielle
That sounds great. Ideally, it would be great to launch a site where access workers, producers, volunteers, could contribute their own stories, too.
But, it would be great to help record some stories to upload as examples. Would love to talk more with you about this and others who were interested.
This is an idea whose time has come. I think one thing that I have seen from the NPR Storycorps project is how important it is to have good questions.
The technology has so many possibilities but it really is the easy part. Organizing different groups of people around this common project is more of a challenge.