It’s good that the city of Wichita is trying to make the programming on its City 7 cable channel more professional. The channel is a valuable resource for sharing information with the public. Still, taxpayers may question the priorities of the city in spending more than $260,000 on cameras and a studio, in addition to the cost of hiring former journalists to produce the “news,” at a time when the city is cutting other services and staff.
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15 Comments
Another case of no food or heat for the orphans but plenty of money for playing games with the tax payers hard earned money.
Doesn’t the cable system produce community access programming in Wichita?
That’s usually a term in cable franchise agreements.
Government reporting back to the people?
If there is a better use of tax dollars, I don’t know what it is.
Ministry of Truth
There are numerous over-the-air broadcast stations in Wichita. I am sure many of them would gladly cover City Hall – IF City officials were truly open.
What a waste of taxpayers dollars. The few people watching does not justify the cost.
Ben, DO NOT HOLD YOUR BREATH FOR CITY TO BE TRULY OPEN!
The dishonesty and methodology being considered by the City Council bothers me greatly.
What the city is really doing is using a temporary downturn in the economy as an excuse to create permanent new taxes on the citizens of Wichita.
That is not a right and honorable thing to do.
When the economy recovers, the city government will just squander the new source of revenue as it has done in the past with the annual increases in property tax revenue due to increased property valuations. The city needs to put a time limit on any new tax. The most they need is a temporary increase in revenue to solve a temporary problem. To do anything else is dishonest and disgraceful!
I am all for having information available, but does the city REALLY need to blow that kind of money on TV studios and the like? Really? I am so sick of watching my taxes get wasted by the City and County. Why not let the experts in TV handle the TV stuff and have the city focus on running the city. Its a bold concept, I know, but I think it might just work!
Is City 7 best use of taxpayer dollars?
Who cares? Just raise taxes.
Brownlib just proved with this topic that the local libs don’t give a darn about high taxes – they are not the ones paying the taxes anyway.
Phil Brownlee, opinion person: Another idea … the City of Wichita in cahoots with Sedgwick County government could organize a smaller daily newspaper to “augment” local news coverage. The idea would be to establish a amaller operating newspaper in Wichita to be in the wings in the event of the unthinkable considering McClatchey Company’s precarious financial situation nationwide.
Admittedly the Eagle appears to be doing better than some of it’s larger sister newspapers within the McClatchy organization.
But this public-private arrangement could sell some advertising, perhaps carry some of the Sunday news mags, carry a few of the comics such as Doonsbury, etc. The primary purpose would not be to compete but to have a government owned operating newspaper in business with direct access to city and county news.
Perhaps name it Pravda of Wichita.
“JWink” –
I again ask about the existence of public-access on the cable system.
Without reiterating the stuff I wrote about the National Baseball Congress using viral internet approaches to promoting semi-pro ball every year, there would seem to be an opportunity for college-age, high-school kids even, and anyone else interested to produce programming for the City.
The key to programming would be, of course, commission meetings. Not quite “Desperate Housewives” fare, but not a huge production problem either. And then there could be YouTube-ish videos about Wichita. Basic shooting and editing equipment — and a modicum of adult supervision — and it could be a kinda interesting channel. And website.
Now, if it’s simply gonna be video press releases from the city, it’s a waste of money. But the opportunity to make it a dynamic communication vehicle in Wichita is pretty attractive.
M.H.: I just walked through Lawrence-Dumont Stadium where a Wichita Wingnuts game is in progress or actually should be ending. The Wingnuts have only a few regular season games left to play, maybe five, and then league playoffs. Frankly I haven’t followed the Wingnuts like I used to follow the Wranglers.
Incidentally, as I understand it, the term “semi-pro” is no longer used in relation to the NBC teams because the majority of players are college baseball team members who are prohibited from playing in professional baseball.
In regard to discussing the other points you raise about using the city owned station for training students to enter the TV production field … I would like to see remarks by WE Blogger, Mr. Controversy. Mr “C” has traveled to Washington DC to participate in discussions about all facets of TV including public access channels and the new digital TV.
I do know some of our Wichita high schools offer classes in TV production namely Wichita North High School. Others offer strong courses in journalism. Presumably WSU does the same.
the county seems to do ok using PBS
I hate to go against the common theme in these postings, but I was glad to see different programming on Channel 7 as I flipped by it recently. I actually stopped and watched the program that was airing. The program was professional, educational, and interesting to watch. Yes, we do have several other local stations, all with different focuses. Considering what TV time costs these days, I did not think the cost amounts quoted in the Eagle were exorbitant.
Top notch Post.
Thanks for the post.