Access Public Tv Television Cable Channels Programs Satellite

In 1984, the United States "passed a law" (made a new law) that created "public access television." "Public access television" means that cable TV companies must give money, "training" (education about how to do something), and "access" (the ability to use something) to media technology to local organizations. This law was made to help small communities use TV and other electronic "media" (ways of sharing information with many people) to talk about important topics.

Today, many "grassroots organizations" (small groups that do not make money), individuals, schools, and city governments have their own public access television channels. They get these channels for free or by paying a very low price. In general, large cities have more money for public access television than do small towns, so large cities have more public access television channels.

Many public access television channels "broadcast" (show) national or regional programs, but there are also many small, locally produced TV programs on public access television. Many of these programs are educational and "designed" (made for a specific purpose) to teach adults and children. Other public access channels are "run" (operated by) the government, and are used to broadcast public meetings and "debates" (detailed conversations about the reasons to do or not to something).

Public access television is an important part of America's "freedom of speech" (the right to say whatever one wants, without fear of the government). However, the cable companies must "balance" (find the right solution or level) people's freedom of speech with the need to be "fair" (treating all parties equally) and not allow programs to "demean" (say bad things about) other people and groups.