ABOUT LINC

INTRODUCTION

WHAT IS COMMUNITY TELEVISION (CTV)?

Community television is television that is owned and operated by the community to provide a representative broadcast service. It is similar to community radio in that it operates on a largely voluntary basis and has a localised service area.

COMMUNITY TELEVISION:

  • Is totally community owned and operated

  • Operates on a local, regional scale, rather than a national level

  • Caters to a community by that community

  • Has strong policies, charters, structure and conflict resolution to enable broadbased community involvement at all times

  • Has less rigidity in its structure thereby enabling a equitable access

  • The ability to use new technologies which are economical and practical

  • The ability to broadcast all video formats (with little timing restrictions)

  • Has a large diverse workpool of a largely voluntary nature

  • Is a participation exercise as well as a broadcast service

As each Australian Community is diverse in itself, so are its needs. It is impossible for National Television services to facilitate everyone's needs, they have not the time, personal or finance to implement this.
The sixth high power television channel that is an Australian resource at present would best cater to diverse Australian needs by allowing the community to access their resource and enabling them to meet their own needs in a "sensitive and diverse"manner as a need recognised by the DOTAC ACCESS AND EQUITY PORTFOLIO. 1 1 Access and Equity Plan 1991-1994. Transport and Communications Portfolio, Dept. of Prime Minister and Cabinet

WHAT IS LINC TV?

INTRODUCTION: LINC TV Inc, (Local Informative Network Community Television) is a community television group based and operated from the city of Lismore, the regional centre for the Far North Coast. This region is renown for it's geographic beauty; rainforests, mountains, fresh water streams and waterfalls and the beautiful beaches of Byron Bay; that are accentuated by a sub tropical climate.

In 1972, Nimbin housed the Aquarius festival, that had a profound and lasting influence upon the Northcoast, by those developing a new llfestyle.
Today many of those developments are an integral part of mainstream society, thereby attracting an ever growing population of individuals and families starting a new life in an unpolluted environment. With this population arrives a constant stream of new ideas, resources and cultural influences that make the North coast the most progressive regional area in Australia.
This climate inspired the development of Regional community Television.

Having been influenced and strongly supported by CAT TV, LINC IV was formed in July 1991. Based on working models of CAT TV in Sydney and SKA TV in Melbourne (the only Broadcasters), research was adapted to the local area, the perfect regional area to establish community television. Interestingly enough, LINC TV was not the first to be so inspired, 20 years prior Nimbin's BUSH VIDEO originated Australian Community television at the Aquarius festival.
The two major proposals to establish Community television in 1976 and again in 1984 both include a Lismore model as the only regional inclusion. This evidence along with the strong media interest with the initiation of the Pegasus Network, the Koori Mail, Nexus, Permaculture International and an international Rainforest journal in this area reaffirms the longstanding interest independent Community media.

With current accessibility to new audio visual technologies, rapidly changing attitudes to technology and a growing dissatisfaction to network television, the need for community television was verified by market research *Appendix 5 and general feedback.

As a rapidly growing area of a diverse and interesting population large arts and alternative community, of new entrepreneurial businesses combined with the long standing rural community, a central focus for community interest is needed. It is not enough to collate information, its dissemination allows the benefits of information exchange, that in turn enable growth on all levels, whether it be social, economic and/or cultural. Community television is the only way to implement this effectively.
With this in mind LINC TV Inc aims to establish a full time Community Television service on UHF 50.

Objectives are to provide;

  • A catalyst to network community groups and Individuals within the area.

  • Cultural exchange

  • Equity and access

  • Local emphasis

  • Responsibility to viewers

  • An ad free innovative television service

  • 7Education and training

  • Emphasis on operation as a means for education and training.

LONG TERM OBJECTIVES are to provide

  • A regular television service

  • A community library and equipment resource.

In a fast evolving society, LINC TV Inc is aiming to provide an information/data resource and exchange as well as documentation in regards to maintaining archives. The innovative and efficient use of new technologies will be an integral part of this service.
To initiate the compilation of such information, a community mailout to over 300 local organisations and groups enabled the beginnings of a community register. Public meetings, electronic and print media, the establishment of an accessible office in the Lismore CBD encouraged broadbased community involvement.

Community enthusiasm was reflected in wide support enabling LINC TV to hold 3 technical tests and a special eight-day Christmas broadcast within a six month period from its first meeting.
Within the first two hours of broadcast more than 40 phonecalls were received. An average of 57 visits and phone calls were received over the 6-week period prior to and including broadcast.
Inquiries of how to setup Community television have come from Nimbin, Kyogle, Bathurst and Elands while increasing demand for reception and representation has come from far and wide.

As a very new organisation, LINC TV has yet to fulfil it's enormous potential; that potential is recognised by the local and extended community, who have already experienced benefit.
Attached is a list of some of those involved in the first broadcast. *Appendix I (500+ individuals and 200+ organisations and businesses.)

Although in the midst of economic recession, the North Coast Community having experienced it longer (similar to most rural areas), are adapting to the climate by looking at new ways to earn a living in order to remain here. It is a potential goldmine of the practical development of new ideas in all areas, to harness this information will be of value to all Australia.
For those with family, or a vested interest in the future this will make sense. NOW is the time to use the current situation for its advantages.
Where a ready cash flow is not abundant, there is existing enthusiasm, motivation and a desire to make something happen. With current economic and reflected social despair; any form of social motivation should be encouraged to help make way for a new and positive Australia. That value should never be underestimated.

With community television there exists some idealism, a lot of enthusiasm and hard work, also exists a wealth of new ideas and skills that may not fall exactly into traditional ways, but in all of history it is the development of the new that establishes the future.
All that is needed is the opportunity to allow this to happen, with government financing or non government financing, given that chance a new and exciting service of long term community value on a variety of level be they social justice issues of freedom of expression and participation, or the assistance in the development of new technologies.

CONCLUSION:

LINC TV is currently in introductory stages, it is a great idea with huge potential.
Based in an exciting regional area, the North coast population is one that is diverse, and unusual, it is an area renown for implementing new ideas as well as being located in one of the most beautiful areas in Australia.
From experience, community television works best in regional areas where there exists a sense of community. If that community is to represent itself and use community television to its potential we will have a dynamic television service whilst creating a positive self image and cultural identity resulting in a stronger community which may well be reflected by economic growth.
Australia cannot afford not to have community television.

APPENDIX 3 (RULE 1)

LINC TV inc STATION OBJECTIVES

OBJECTIVES

  • Responsibility to viewers

  • Cultural exchange

  • Education & Training Service

  • Equitable Access 6k Local emphasis & An ad-free Innovative, effective and equitable television service

  • A catalyst to network groups and Individuals within the local area & to produce a quality service that Is affordable for the local community.

LONG-TERM OBJECTIVES

  • To maintain an quality, full-time television service.

  • To create a video production/library facility for the Regional Community.

  • To create employment opportunities for local people through LINCTV's Training Programmes, Internally and externally.

  • Be a testing ground for New Technology, through LINC's Research and Development programs.