Sir, - The term community television (CTV) is currently being used, almost exclusively, to describe the community based deflector groups throughout the country who are fighting for licences. As understood throughout Europe and the US the term more commonly denotes television which is made both for and by the community.
It is this latter definition which we at Open Channel are concerned to promote. Open Channel believes that CTV is a tool of democracy and equality, providing an alternative to the loss of voice caused by poverty and marginalisation. CTV is about giving people access to facilities, training and the means of transmission, so that they can make the programmes they want to see and which best represent their interests to the world at large. Just as Community Radio has proved its worth, so too can CTV provide an antidote to the bland homogenisation of Irish culture.
To this end, Open Channel has been working, since 1990, to develop the necessary infrastructures, training strategies and information networks which will form the backbone of CTV in this country. We were therefore encouraged by the suggestion by Joe Gibbons of the Mayo deflector groups (Irish Times, April 11th) that, should they be granted a licence, the deflector systems could carry a community broadcasting channel.
This is further evidence of the imminence of CTV and Open Channel hopes that politicians will take heed and move quickly to build on the proposals contained in the government's recent document on broadcasting, Clear Focus, and provide access for nonprofit community groups to a dedicated means of broadcasting, governed by democratic principles and subject to no editorial control other than that implied by legislation. - Yours, etc.,
Open Channel,
59 Merrion Square,
Dublin 2.