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News

Public station to stay on air

MediaSource under new regulations after obscenity controversy

By Johnny M. Pena
The Daily Cougar

After months of delay, the Houston City Council is reviewing a proposed contract that would allow Houston MediaSource, the local public-access channel, to continue operating with about $800,000 in funds.

Issues have arisen concerning two shows, one profanity-laced and another containing nudity, that aired in the summer and caught the attention of Councilwoman Addie Wiseman. She brought it to the attention of council members, and in September, a split-vote failed to renew the station's contract.

As part of the revamped contract, MediaSource producers would have to prescreen programming before airing any shows. 

If MediaSource employees cannot determine if specific content is obscene, they can go to a judge to help them decide.

For supporters of MediaSource programming, these regulations conjure First Amendment issues.

Todd Johnson, a media production senior, objects to the proposed rules of the contract because he advocates the original programming offered by MediaSource.

"I don't think (MediaSource) should be subject to any prescreening, because it stumps creativity," Johnson said.

Because the legal definition of obscenity is hazy, some say it will be difficult to follow the regulations of the new contract developed in a joint effort by the Council and MediaSource board members.

The new board members -- appointed by Mayor Bill White -- and some Council members welcome the proposed changes to the public-access channel, which receives its funding from small fees cable companies charge subscribers.

Some students agree MediaSource producers should know beforehand what is airing on their shows.

"I personally wouldn't put anything obscene on television, so producers should see what's going to be on their program," media production senior Michelle Rexroat said. "They should want to because their name is on it.

"They should have a chance to express themselves, but producers need to watch for what is acceptable and what isn't."

MediaSource employees have been under fire since the airing of the first show. Board member Garth Jowett, a UH communication professor, resigned from his job at MediaSource, The Houston Chronicle reported this week. The board will determine the fate of Executive Director Patti Garlinghouse.

The Council is expected to delay the vote for about a week so it can sort out specifics in the contract. MediaSource has been operating on reserves funds.

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