Protecting Community Television Act

Protecting Community Television Act

This bill revises the definition of a franchise fee that is paid by a cable operator or cable subscriber to encompass only a tax, fee, or other monetary assessment that is imposed by a franchising authority or other governmental entity.

Bill 117 HR 6219, also known as the Protecting Community Television Act, was introduced in the US Congress with the aim of safeguarding community television stations across the country. The bill seeks to ensure that these stations, which play a vital role in providing local news, information, and programming to their communities, continue to have access to the necessary resources and support to thrive.

The Protecting Community Television Act specifically addresses the issue of cable franchise fees, which are payments made by cable companies to local governments in exchange for the right to use public rights-of-way to deliver their services. These fees are a crucial source of funding for community television stations, as they help cover operating costs and support the production of local programming.

The bill aims to prevent cable companies from reducing or eliminating these franchise fees, which would have a detrimental impact on community television stations. By ensuring that these fees remain intact, the Protecting Community Television Act seeks to preserve the important role that these stations play in promoting civic engagement, local culture, and community dialogue. Overall, the Protecting Community Television Act is a bipartisan effort to support and protect community television stations, recognizing their value in providing diverse and locally-focused content to viewers. The bill highlights the importance of maintaining a strong and vibrant community media landscape in the United States.