Town develops rules for municipal cable channel
BY KATHY BARATTA
Staff Writer

MANALAPAN - The Manalapan Township Television Network (MTTN) Channel 77 is in the process of finalizing its mandate, complete with rules and regulations that will govern everything that is aired on the cable television municipal access channel.

In a proposed set of guidelines that will be adopted by the Township Committee following a final review by Township Attorney Caroline Casagrande with assistance from Cable Television Advisory Committee (CTAC) members Jan Zachary and Marc Levy, the mission of the MTTN is defined as "allowing for expanded communications from the township governing body to the public to foster better awareness of the operation of the township government."

The MTTN will operate under the direct authority of the township administrator, who will serve as the final arbiter of what would be deemed fit for broadcast in the case of any dispute over the appropriateness of something to be aired on the municipal channel.

With direction from the township attorney, the township administrator will also be the person to decide what, if any, edits should be made to broadcast content.

The new rules prohibit the MTTN from being used for political purposes.

In a draft proposal reviewed by the News Transcript, the township's broadcast policy defines "political" as anything that advances partisan programming designed more to promote a candidate, political party or interest group devoted to altering public opinion about government related activity than to inform the public of the township's activities.

Programs aired on MTTN will not endorse or advertise any commercial enterprise or profit-making interest, nor any political or religious beliefs.

According to the proposed rules, Township Committee meetings and meetings of boards and agencies created by the mayor or the Township Committee for the purpose of performing a governmental function are deemed not to be political in nature, nor will any programming involving public information topics or forums of special interest to the public that have the approval of the township administrator be deemed to be political in nature.

In addition to broadcasting Township Committee meetings, the CTAC volunteers will maintain a township video bulletin board which will air general and emergency notices from the township and notices from nonprofit organizations.

Although commercial advertising will be prohibited, MTTN will recognize sponsors' general contributions and contributions to specific shows with a general support announcement.

Independently produced programs will be aired once they have been approved for broadcast and are deemed to comply with the standards set by the township.

According to the regulations, the MTTN will not be allowed to be used as a medium to "promote the passage or defeat of any legislation or public referendum or act proposed by the governing body of Manalapan, Monmouth County, the state of New Jersey, boards of education, local fire districts or any other public entity."

No political candidates, including those for seats on the local boards of education, are permitted to appear on the MTTN "except if they are inadvertently included in a group shot." According to the rules, the restriction will apply from the moment a person formally files as a candidate until after the election. Political candidacy also includes incumbent members of elected bodies.

No individual or organization may appear on behalf of any candidate or political party in order to advance any legislation or referendum issue. Political debates or board of education candidates nights may be televised.

A community bulletin board will be maintained on a scheduled basis listing community news, educational material and events, recreation events and newsworthy items, cultural happenings and news, public information material, municipal messages and events, local board of education material and events, school closings, emergency notifications and the like.

In addition to information regarding the dates, times and instructions

for municipal meetings and events, emergency notifications and municipal news, recycling information and schedules, there will also be information such as road closings, police information and notices from houses of worship and nonprofit organizations regarding educational and cultural events.

Remote access will be provided to the office of the chief of police for emergency notifications of public interest and safety as well as the local boards of education for school closing information.

The stated goal of the MTTN is to continue to develop educational and governmental television programming.

The mandate of the MTTN states it will:

+ Serve as an ongoing source of government information for the residents of Manalapan.

+ Increase public knowledge of the functions and responsibilities of township government, and the functions of various departments, commissions, committees and boards.

+ Serve as an information center in the case of a local emergency situation.

+ Supplement ongoing communications between the township and its residents.

+ Present educational and cultural programs beneficial to the residents of the township.

+ Provide information on public heath, safety and welfare issues.

CTAC volunteers will establish and maintain all files including a tape library of productions for at least one year. They will also develop and execute a budget for the furtherance of the duties of the CTAC.

It will also be the responsibility of the CTAC to keep abreast of all federal and state legislation and regulations affecting local television to ensure continued compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

CTAC members will be expected to research and develop grant request to be submitted to the appropriate federal, state and private and/or corporate philanthropic organizations.

The CTAC will also be responsible for reviewing and approving all material, descriptions and/or dialogue that will be aired on MTTN prior to broadcast in order to ensure that all regulations and/or restrictions covered in the ordinance or under any applicable state and federal laws are being observed.

Membership for CTAC production team volunteers is open to those persons over the age of 18 who express an interest and willingness to participate regularly in training and education for video production, direction and writing as well as the technical aspects of video production, development, production, scheduling and broadcast.