Public Access TV in LA May Vanish

Time Warner has closed 12 studios that offered community programming in Los Angeles because of a new law. A provision passed by the California State Legislature in 2006 took effect Thursday, allowing cable TV providers to drop their obligation to provide free studios, equipment and training to the public, reports the Los Angeles Times. In exchange, providers will have to pay a large annual fee as well as offer a small number of government and public education channels. The new law has angered many who view public access programming on cable television as a vital forum for community activists and aspiring actors.  "For the media capital of the world to say there is no room for public access, I don't even know how to describe it," Ron Cooper, a public access advocate, told the paper.