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WHEREAS, filmmaker George Stoney was one of the pioneers of early public access television, helping to advocate for the legal right to establish access to the television medium for the public; and,
WHEREAS, in 1986, Pittsburgh Community Television began operations in Pittsburgh, taking over public access television from Warner Cable as an independent non-profit, managing at its current studio on Western Avenue on Pittsburgh’s Northside; and,
WHEREAS, PCTV produces local programming on Comcast 21 and Verizon 47 in the City of Pittsburgh, and makes available their studios and equipment to all city residents and non-profits to broadcast their thoughts, ideas, and creativity to households throughout Pittsburgh and the world; and,
WHEREAS, PCTV’s mission is to encourage dialogue, promote media literacy, provide a platform for free speech and build a stronger community through training and by providing local citizens and non-profit organizations with the tools to produce and broadcast programs from their own unique perspectives; and,
WHEREAS, at 25 plus years and counting, PCTV is among the oldest public access media organizations in the United States; and,
WHEREAS, while technology has evolved and media outlets are finding themselves in an age of consolidation, the mission of PCTV remains as relevant as ever today, as they continue to remain committed to public service to the Pittsburgh community and region; and,
WHEREAS, Pittsburgh Community Television is celebrating 29 years with a grand reopening of their television station on the Northside, as they continue their mission of bringing quality programming throughout the area.
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare September 24, 2015 to be “Pittsburgh Community Television Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.