by Andrew Collinsworth, Account Executive, Granicus
Have you heard of Granicus? They’ve been serving government since being founded in 1999. Granicus helps organizations run more efficiently, effectively, and transparently. Their video streaming solutions make meetings accessible to the public, wherever they are and on their own devices.
Each year the Jersey Access Group holds its annual conference for not only its members, their staff and volunteer crews, but others outside the organization who are interested in local access television. Just because it’s an annual event, does not mean it is the same old event. In fact, quite to the contrary. The conference committee has worked hard on this year’s event to include new sessions, bring in outside professionals from our industry and work with vendors on presenting the latest equipment, technology and more.
by Geoffrey Belinfante, External Relations Committee, Chair
Lauren Concar Sheehy has been a JAG member for many years. In fact, many moons ago, Lauren interned at Cablevision and has fond memories working with Dave Garb and the crew. These days, she is a video production specialist at Brookdale Television with responsibility for the TV facilities at Brookdale Community College, along with Jennifer Yannibelli and Sergey Kornienko. For well over two decades, the team has been producing, directing and editing television shows, providing real world experience to their students.
THE JAG AWARDS IS CLOSING! THE JAG AWARDS IS CLOSING!!
Did your town have a concert? Did your station record it? How about a council meeting? Did your town have a community event? These are all great events you can enter in the JAG Awards.
Not sure what the categories are? Here they are…surely you have something to enter.
by Geoffrey Belinfante, Conference Committee, Vice Chair
Even though our conference is still about 4 months away, your conference committee has already been busy planning another informative and entertaining event for all JAG members. This year’s conference is scheduled for May 16th and once again it will be held at the Crowne Plaza in Edison, so mark your calendars now! The conference will be followed that evening by a gala celebration where we will present the JAG Awards for excellence in production for 2023.
As we have talked about in the last few newsletters, the American Broadband Deployment Act of 2023 (HR 3447), is still in play in Congress. If enacted, it would impose new restrictions on local authorities regarding their ability to regulate a variety of state and local land use and zoning issues that pertain to the deployment of the telecommunications infrastructure. This would include wireless and wireline deployment, and new limits on the requirements and renewals of cable franchise agreements.
I hope this message finds you all well as we embrace the month of February. It’s an honor to connect with you through our monthly newsletter and share some updates and reflections on the incredible work that JAG continues to do in promoting access and community engagement. Let’s hope the Groundhog was right and spring is just around the corner.
by Tara Berson and Raven Rentas, Township of Middletown
Home to 68,000 residents, Middletown Township is one of the largest municipalities in New Jersey. Due to the size of our community and diverse age ranges, interests, and neighborhoods, it is important for the Township to offer various ways for residents to access information. One of those communications tools has been our municipal TV channel which has changed over the years, particularly with the addition of our brand new TV studio this year. We had the opportunity to work with experts in the industry who helped guide the project from beginning to end.
The JAG Conference Committee has begun meeting. We have elected the officers of the committee: Bob Duthaler, Chair, Rick Gearhart, Secretary and Linda Besink, Treasurer. The first items discussed were establishing the costs to attend, developing a schedule of events, and creating a list of potential sessions. Panelists will include representatives from NATOA, the ACM and JAG’s Organizational Members.
Closed Captioning and Web Accessibility Requirementsfor Local Governments
Where it Currently Stands for PEG
The Americans with Disability Act has compliance obligations for local government accessibility for websites, video streaming, and even cable broadcasting.
While the FCC has long excluded community television from captioning requirements, the Department of Justice, state governments, and private citizens have renewed a push to require captioning for all types of video content, and particularly those found on the internet.
Posted: March 19, 2024 by Doug Seidel
JAG’s new video partner: Granicus
by Andrew Collinsworth, Account Executive, Granicus
Have you heard of Granicus? They’ve been serving government since being founded in 1999. Granicus helps organizations run more efficiently, effectively, and transparently. Their video streaming solutions make meetings accessible to the public, wherever they are and on their own devices.
Posted: February 14, 2024 by Doug Seidel
Spotlight: Brookdale Television – JAG’s Own Wonder Woman
by Geoffrey Belinfante, External Relations Committee, Chair
Lauren Concar Sheehy has been a JAG member for many years. In fact, many moons ago, Lauren interned at Cablevision and has fond memories working with Dave Garb and the crew. These days, she is a video production specialist at Brookdale Television with responsibility for the TV facilities at Brookdale Community College, along with Jennifer Yannibelli and Sergey Kornienko. For well over two decades, the team has been producing, directing and editing television shows, providing real world experience to their students.
Posted: February 14, 2024 by Doug Seidel
JAG Awards February 2024
THE JAG AWARDS IS CLOSING! THE JAG AWARDS IS CLOSING!!
Did your town have a concert? Did your station record it? How about a council meeting? Did your town have a community event? These are all great events you can enter in the JAG Awards.
Not sure what the categories are? Here they are…surely you have something to enter.
Posted: February 14, 2024 by Doug Seidel
JAG’s Annual Conference Taking Shape
by Geoffrey Belinfante, Conference Committee, Vice Chair
Even though our conference is still about 4 months away, your conference committee has already been busy planning another informative and entertaining event for all JAG members. This year’s conference is scheduled for May 16th and once again it will be held at the Crowne Plaza in Edison, so mark your calendars now! The conference will be followed that evening by a gala celebration where we will present the JAG Awards for excellence in production for 2023.
Posted: February 14, 2024 by Doug Seidel
Legislative Update February 2024: News from Washington DC- The Congressional Budget Office
by Dave Garb, Legislative Committee Chair
As we have talked about in the last few newsletters, the American Broadband Deployment Act of 2023 (HR 3447), is still in play in Congress. If enacted, it would impose new restrictions on local authorities regarding their ability to regulate a variety of state and local land use and zoning issues that pertain to the deployment of the telecommunications infrastructure. This would include wireless and wireline deployment, and new limits on the requirements and renewals of cable franchise agreements.
Posted: January 22, 2024 by Doug Seidel
Spotlight: Middletown Township Builds TV Studio in New Town Hall
by Tara Berson and Raven Rentas, Township of Middletown
Home to 68,000 residents, Middletown Township is one of the largest municipalities in New Jersey. Due to the size of our community and diverse age ranges, interests, and neighborhoods, it is important for the Township to offer various ways for residents to access information. One of those communications tools has been our municipal TV channel which has changed over the years, particularly with the addition of our brand new TV studio this year. We had the opportunity to work with experts in the industry who helped guide the project from beginning to end.
Posted: January 22, 2024 by Doug Seidel
JAG’s Annual Conference
by Bob Duthaler, Conference Committee Chair
The JAG Conference Committee has begun meeting. We have elected the officers of the committee: Bob Duthaler, Chair, Rick Gearhart, Secretary and Linda Besink, Treasurer. The first items discussed were establishing the costs to attend, developing a schedule of events, and creating a list of potential sessions. Panelists will include representatives from NATOA, the ACM and JAG’s Organizational Members.
Posted: January 22, 2024 by Doug Seidel
Legislative Update January 2024: News from Washington DC
by Dave Garb, Legislative Committee Chair
Closed Captioning and Web Accessibility Requirements for Local Governments
Where it Currently Stands for PEG
The Americans with Disability Act has compliance obligations for local government accessibility for websites, video streaming, and even cable broadcasting.
While the FCC has long excluded community television from captioning requirements, the Department of Justice, state governments, and private citizens have renewed a push to require captioning for all types of video content, and particularly those found on the internet.