President’s Message: February 2024 JAG’s Mission Is Your Mission

by Bob Duthaler

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.

As we navigate through the challenges and opportunities that each month brings, it’s crucial to acknowledge the dedication and passion that both our board and members bring to the table.  Your commitment to fostering communication, connectivity, and community building is the heartbeat of JAG, and it’s what makes our organization truly special.  Stay engaged with JAG via the website, newsletter and email to make your life easier.

In the spirit of collaboration and inclusivity, I encourage all members to actively participate in upcoming events, workshops, and initiatives.  Our shared goal is to enhance access to information and empower individuals to express themselves within our community.  By working together, we can create a more vibrant and connected community in which we serve.

Looking ahead, we have some exciting projects in the pipeline that will further strengthen our mission.  From innovative technological advancements to community outreach programs, JAG is committed to staying at the forefront of providing accessible platforms for all:

  • Thursday, February 15th @ 2pm:  Managers Round Table Discussion on JAG’s Conference and the Sessions Members Want
  • Friday, February 16th – JAG Awards Close at end of day – Register Now!
  • Wednesday, February 28th @ 11:30am – JAG Membership meeting in-person at WBMA-TV Bloomfield.  Lunch followed by the meeting at Noon along with a presentation by TelVue
  • Thursday, May 16th – JAG’s Annual Conference in Edison, NJ. Visit conference website at www.jagconference.com to register and more information.

I would like to extend my gratitude to each one of you for your unwavering support and commitment to the JAG mission.  Together, we are making a difference in the lives of our community members, and I am confident that the impact of our collective efforts will continue to resonate.  As we move forward into February, let us remain inspired by the power of community and the positive change we can create together.  Thank you for your ongoing dedication to the values of JAG. Wishing you all a wonderful month ahead!

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.

How It Started

In November 2021, my colleague Tara Berson and I traveled to Atlantic City for the annual New Jersey League of Municipalities conference and attended the Jersey Access Group’s (JAG) seminar about cable television consumption post-pandemic. Feeling inspired after the session ended, we introduced ourselves to some of the presenters: JAG President Bob Duthaler and External Relations Chair Geoff Belinfante. We exchanged contact information, expressed our interest in becoming JAG members, and discussed our plans for a TV studio in Middletown’s new Town Hall that was being built.

In May 2022, we moved into our new Town Hall. With the new building came new opportunities so we used this transition to emphasize the importance of having an in-house TV studio to help promote key Township initiatives and programming, as well as provide a potential revenue stream through shared service agreements with other communities. We already had our mayor and administrator’s approval and funds secured through a Comcast grant, so we were given a space to help fulfill our aspirations of airing interesting and informative content.

Bringing the TV Studio to Life

We knew that creating a TV studio from scratch was a large task for us to take on in addition to our regular responsibilities. With that in mind, we reached out to Bob Duthaler to see if he (DNS Media) would be interested in supporting our Communications and IT Departments by joining our team as a consultant. Thankfully Bob was up for the challenge, so we hired him. Bob took the reins and introduced us to vendors, received quotes, and figured out next steps. With his help, we were able to determine the equipment specs for when this project went out to bid. By the end of 2022, we were feeling more organized and had finally become JAG members!

In February 2023, we joined our Purchasing Department at a pre-bid for our TV studio project, which was divided into two categories: lighting and control room equipment. We briefly met vendors and showed them the studio space and the office that was going to be utilized as a control room, as well as answered their questions. A month later, our Purchasing Director advised us that RDM Rigging would be handling lighting and G&G Technologies would be the equipment vendor. Both companies also offered training, which was much needed since we are not experts in TV production.

Our equipment arrived in April. Due to the studio’s small size, we needed to use an empty office near the Communications Department for the control room. Our IT and Public Works & Engineering Departments ran cables and installed electrical outlets wherever needed to ensure that our TV studio and control room could work together efficiently since they are not in the same vicinity.

In May, Rich DiMinno of RDM Rigging and his crew installed the pipe grid in the studio over the course of several days. While our lighting infrastructure was being taken care of, Marvin Charyn of G&G Technologies assigned John Micewicz to set up the control room (see photo). John trekked to Middletown from Westchester County, New York over the course of a few months to help set up our control room, work with our IT Department to connect our new TriCaster system to TelVue, and trained us on how to properly use the equipment.

In July, the lights for our TV studio arrived and Rich DiMinno and RGM Rigging were back to install them, along with the help of Paul Distefano of DeSisti Lighting. In August, they returned to Town Hall to teach us how to use the lighting console, which is situated in our TV studio but can also be used from our control room. In between that time, we ordered a small table and two comfy chairs, making our TV studio finally complete in August 2023 (see photo).

Lights, Camera, Action!

After almost 18 months full of vendors, doubts, training, and dedication, our TV studio was born!  Building our TV studio wouldn’t have been possible without the help of our colleagues, the expertise and knowledge of our amazing vendors, and advice from our JAG family. We are truly appreciative of everyone’s part in making our TV studio become a reality. Now that it’s a new year, we’re excited to focus on our TV studio and begin producing content. We’ll check back in within a few months to keep you all posted on our progress!

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.

Registration Costs:

Full Conference:

Members: $225.00 and Non-members $350.00

Conference Only:

Members: $175.00 and Non-members $300.00

Banquet Only:

Members: $75.00 and Non-members $110.00

Link to Register:  https://jagconference.com/shop/

Event Schedule

8:00am- TelVue User Group Breakfast

9:00am- Exhibit Hall open

10:00am-11:30am- Sessions

11:30am- Keynote Lunch

1:30pm- 5:30pm- Sessions

6:00pm- Banquet

Sessions (Details to follow)

3 Legislative:  Laws and Rules & Regulations that will affect delivery of video content.

2 Technology:  New equipment that will enhance the quality of video production.

6 Management:  Examine dealing with the hurdles facing the operation of a media facility.

Call for Vendors

Booth size and event sponsors

Link to Register: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/889386h

Conference Sponsors

Diamond (Conference Partner)- TelVue Corporation

Hotel

Discount rate for attendees $119.00

Link to Crowne Plaza Room Reservation:  TBA Conference details will be posted as they are finalized to:  https://jagconference.com/

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.

Last month, JAG held a special webinar that explored where the requirements currently stand for access television, along with thoughts on where it might be heading, when the DOJ might make a decision, and what should be done now to prepare for the immediate future.

Our guest speaker for this informative event was Brandon M. Dittman, a founder and partner of Wilson Williams Fellman and Dittman*, an expert on the ADA and Rehabilitation Act Captioning Requirements and FCC Regulations for Closed Captioning, as well as the DOJ and their rule-makings.

Brandon relayed the following facts to the participants:

•    Since 1998 the FCC has stated under its regulations that local government content is categorically exempted from captioning on television. Other government agencies such as the DOJ who are responsible for enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act, will say otherwise. And even the FCC takes the position that video programming may be subject to captioning requirements even if they don’t require it.

•    The American with Disabilities Act – Title 2 regulates public entities and regulates governments.  If you’re a government entity of any kind, you fall under Title 2

•    DOJ Requires Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1   https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/docs/   or https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/quickref/?versions=2.1  for all web content, and captioning for video content, whether live or prerecorded is required.

•    Different parts of the Rehabilitation Act which needs to also be considered include:

  • Section 504 states that “No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States … shall, solely by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance or under any program or activity conducted by any Executive agency”.

•    Section 508 – “Electronic information and information technology must be accessible for

       people with disabilities”.

(You could potentially become subject to this if you receive federal funding.  Such funding could come with a requirement that you comply with the Rehabilitation Act.)

One of the most eye-opening moments of the webinar was when Brandon stated that “Any person can bring what’s called a citizen suit where they can act as their own private attorney general.  Especially on the website side. A private citizen can ask for an injunction and can demand that you change your practice or stop doing the discriminatory practice.”  They can recover all their attorney’s fees, and in most cases, they can get monetary damages of some kind.

So what should a PEG Channel do to prepare when the DOJ comes down with more changes about Closed Captioning?

Brandon offers the following suggestions:

•    Basically you should just start budgeting for it now. And I would start with the things that are used most by the public, whatever those may be. So your websites, your public meetings, those sorts of things.

•    Most of you have Video-On-Demand Channels, so whatever goes on there should have the ability to be captioned somehow.  If for whatever reason you have an exception or whatever else you still may be under, you actually are still under the ADA’s broader requirement for effective communication. And just so you know, that’s always kind of lurking in the background. There still is the effective communication piece to this.

•    Look towards the future to ensure that your servers have the ability to create automatic closed captioning.  It’s a lot harder to prove the case that captioning is not good enough versus you didn’t have anything. It is going to deter all but the most determined from filing a lawsuit against you because again, it’s a lot easier to prove that you have nothing.

JAG works exclusively with vendors that can help you prepare for the possible future of adding closed captioning into your programs.

There have been no final rulings at this time by the DOJ.  But what is being considered when the effective date is decided, is to implement a delayed implementation based on population size. For example, if you’re a government below 50,000 people, you may get three years to comply, with larger municipalities having perhaps two years.

Don’t panic about it just yet, but start to budget!  We cannot ignore it forever! This seems like something we might have to face whether we want to or not.

If you would like to view this special webinar in its entirety with our guest Brandon M. Dittman. please go to:

JAG: ADA and Closed Captioning Webinar 12-21-23


Still in Play: HR 3557

The American Broadband Deployment Act

Reminder everyone: This bill imposes 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 telecommunications infrastructure, including wireless and wireline deployment, as well as new limits on requirements and renewals of cable franchise agreements.

Please watch our informative video on HR 3557 and hear what might happen if it is passed at:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzP_t_SPzGk .  And please pass this link around to all of those who can stop this harmful bill. JAG constantly advocates, analyzes and addresses emerging issues in areas such as: Local Government Communications and Internet Policy, New Technology Initiatives and Advancements, Cable Franchising and, the Operation of Public, Education and Government Media Facilities.

Enhancing Public Access to Government Meetings with SRT Streaming

by Dana Healy, Vice President, Sales, Cablecast

In the dynamic sphere of local government, transparency and accessibility are paramount.  Ensuring the public has real-time access to government meetings is a critical function of communication teams and video specialists. The challenges of network streaming video are magnified in this setting, where reliability and security are non-negotiable.  This is where Secure Reliable Transport (SRT) streaming becomes an invaluable tool.

SRT Streaming: A Boon for Government Communications

SRT, a cutting-edge video transport protocol developed by Haivision, is revolutionizing the way government entities stream and distribute video content. It is specifically designed to operate over less-than-ideal networks like the public internet, providing high-quality video and audio streaming, essential for broadcasting government meetings.

The Technical Edge of SRT in Government Use

SRT stands out for its ability to deliver low-latency, high-quality video streams, even over congested networks. This ensures that live streams of council meetings, public hearings, and other government events are broadcasted smoothly, with minimal disruptions. The secure encryption of SRT also guarantees the confidentiality and integrity of the streamed content, a critical aspect for government communications.

Comparing Protocols: Why SRT for Government Streaming?

Unlike traditional protocols such as RTMP or HLS, SRT is designed to thrive in unstable network environments, making it ideal for government entities that often rely on public internet connections for streaming. SRT’s robustness against packet loss and its low-latency capabilities make it superior for live streaming important meetings, ensuring real-time public access and interaction.

Practical Applications in Local Government

Many local governments have already adopted SRT for streaming council meetings and other events. This adoption has enabled uninterrupted, high-quality broadcasts to the public, ensuring transparency and fostering civic engagement. These successful implementations serve as a model for other government entities looking to improve their streaming capabilities.

SRT and Video Servers: A Synergistic Relationship

For government communications teams, integrating SRT with their existing video servers enhances their ability to manage and distribute live and on-demand content efficiently. Video servers supporting SRT enable seamless delivery of meeting streams, both live and archived, to the public.

Accessibility for All: SRT in Low-Budget Government Setups

SRT’s compatibility with various broadcasting software like OBS Studio, vMix, and Wirecast makes it accessible even for government entities with limited budgets. This ensures that all levels of government can provide high-quality streaming of their meetings, promoting inclusivity and accessibility.

Looking Ahead: SRT in Government Video Streaming

As we advance, SRT’s role in government video streaming is poised to grow. Its adaptability to emerging technologies and evolving network conditions will continue to make it a staple in government communications strategies.

For local government communications teams and video specialists, SRT Streaming is not just a technology choice; it’s a commitment to transparency and public engagement. By leveraging SRT, governments can ensure that their meetings are accessible, secure, and of high quality, regardless of the challenges posed by network streaming video. This commitment to accessible government is central to a thriving, engaged community.

For the many community media and city cable operations using Cablecast version 7.5, native support for live SRT stream playback and recording makes it easy (and affordable) for stations to send live meetings, events, and other programming back to master control using the public internet. Cablecast VIO servers also support several network streaming protocols – including RTMP, HLS and NDI, among others – but SRT is a great option for cost-effective, reliable IP transport. Just pair your Cablecast VIO with an encoder on location and you can playout SRT streams, with no additional hardware needed. Want to learn more about how SRT streaming can improve your channel playback workflow? Get started with Cablecast.

President’s Message: January 2024 New Year …. New JAG …. Let’s Get Started!!!

by Bob Duthaler

I am happy to report that the JAG Board of Trustees had their annual meeting on Wednesday, January 9th, setting the course not only for this year but for the future of the organization.  This is made possible by the great input we receive over the course of the year from our members.  Some of these comments are brought up at monthly meetings, during our annual conference or in emails.  It is only through input and feedback from our members that the board can fully understand what is on the minds of our members and help this organization move forward.  I encourage all members to continue to be involved, provide feedback and support the organization.

One of the first things I would like to report out on is the JAG Elections:

            Bob Duthaler – Three Year Term

            Linda Besink – Three Year Term

            George Fairfield – Three Year Term

            Mark Albala – One Year Term

Board of Trustee Elections and Appointments at the annual Meeting:

            Executive Board

            President                     Bob Duthaler

            Vice-President             Doug Seidel

            Treasurer                    Linda Besink

            Recording Sec.            Rick Gearhart

            Corresponding Sec.     Stephanie Gibbons

            Production Chair         Rick Gearhart

            External Relations       Geoffrey Belinfante

            Trustees

            Don Smith

            Dave Garb

            Mark Albala

            Managing Director

            Rich Desimone

During our Reorganization meeting, membership was our focus: Ways to engage our current members, get more members involved in JAG and locate new potential members.  Our presence at the New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference, both through our booth and sessions we coordinated, produced several new leads.  Our membership committee is currently reaching out to these potential members, alerting them to the benefits of JAG and meeting with them on an individual basis as needed.

JAG is also creating special incentives to bring in additional individual members.  There are a lot of great content producers in the community and we are looking for ways to get them noticed, have their content available to our member stations and allow them to compete for recognition in the JAG Awards.  COVID kept producers away from JAG and some of the stations they were involved with, so now is the time to get them back.  I encourage you to reach out to any producers you know and let them see for themselves that now is a great time to join JAG and take advantage of the special offers we have for them in content sharing, JAG Awards and Conference Attendance.

Our board also explored ways to bring in more resources for our members as well.  Currently most of our monthly meetings (the last Wednesday of the Month – see schedule in newsletter as well) will include vendor presentations to keep us updated on some of the latest gear, technology and operations techniques.  JAG will also be hosting several online webinars and managers round table discussions on certain topics of interest and importance to our members.  Look for upcoming information on these events in emails blasts.  These events will be FREE to JAG members.

Lastly, the JAG Executive Board and Committees are working hard on bringing new life into some of our ongoing annual events, such as the JAG Awards and Conference.  These committees are committed to breathing new life into these events and making them attractive to all members, as they are a staple of our organization.  The JAG Awards committee has narrowed down the categories, created a way for all JAG members to get their first entry for free and arranged for the awards presentation at our annual banquet during the annual conference.  Please look to this newsletter for more information and the JAG website as well for the rules and registration link.  Good Luck to all those who enter!  The conference committee has already been working to plan what looks to be a great conference.  We are back again at the Crowne Plaza in Edison, NJ.  Plans are already under way to create great sessions of importance to our members, find ways to make the most out of these sessions for our members, and provide a unique opportunity to network with others.  The conference will feature a tradeshow floor with vendors who understand how we operate and what our budget constraints are.  In addition, the conference will be offering a Keynote lunch with guests who are there to entertain and inform, plus our banquet and JAG Awards Dinner.  Mark your calendar for this year’s event on Thursday, May 16th.  You can also visit the conference website at www.jagconference.com which will continue to be updated on a regular basis as more details are finalized.

Spotlight: Edison – Rising Above the Crowd in Edison

By Michael D’Amato, Station Manager, Edison TV

It seems these days we need to set our cameras higher and higher just to achieve a clear shot over a sea of raised cell phones – camera operators cannot be afraid of heights! More on that later.

Edison TV, one of the founding stations in the Jersey Access Group, has had a clear mission since I became the station manager in 2006 – to present the officials, organizations and residents of the Township of Edison in the best possible light, both figuratively and literally.

Did the mayor stumble on a word?  Fix it!  The singer cracked on the national anthem?  Edit it out!!

At Edison TV, we face the same challenges as other access stations – keeping up with ever changing technology.  We moved from 4:3 to widescreen in 2012.  A grant in 2013 resulted in studio LED lighting.  We started shooting in high definition in 2014 and launched social media pages that same year.  In 2015 we began broadcasting with Cablecast, which included videos on demand on the township website and live streaming of Channel 15.  The year 2017 included our one viral social media video, a Toys for Tots PSA featuring the Grinch – 4.1 million views on YouTube and more than 800 subscribers added because of one silly video!  A Grinch video produced the next year, which I feel was a superior effort, has garnered a paltry 5,000+ views – go figure!

And then there was the Pandemic.  I was at the station throughout the pandemic and had to find programming wherever possible, including every state COVID briefing, religious services and re-airing and re-packaging videos from our past.  That first spring and summer no one was allowed in the studio – well, almost no one.  I did give Ron MacCloskey permission to record a “Classic Movies with Ron MacCloskey” episode at the station as long as there were no guests.  The result was he interviewed himself – strange days indeed.

Eventually meetings returned via zoom, closed captioning was added in September 2020, PTZ cameras were installed in the council chambers in 2021 and meetings were broadcast live on YouTube – all of this leading to a much deeper relationship with our IT Department, as you can imagine.

Social media reigns supreme, which leads me back to my earlier talk of cell phones and high camera placement – I’m pretty sure all of us are dealing with more and more members of the public recording events with their cell phones – they step in front of us and we have to ask them to move.  We move from camera to camera afraid we’re interfering with their shots!  In the photo, I’m standing atop a picnic table with 10-20,000 people around me – many of them recording with cell phones. How do we stay relevant?

Maybe we stay relevant by offering creative and professional video and sound recordings, we insert graphics and lower thirds that support the stories we are trying to tell (and what official doesn’t like to see his or her name and title flashed on the screen?) and we involve the public:  I often like to have what I call an “audience cam” at the front of the room or stage; you’re having a good time dancing and waving your arms? You’re on television! (and the audience cam also keeps people in the audience on their toes – they tend to at least look more attentive if they think they are being recorded). Most importantly, we post content to social media and the township website – I steer viewers away from our SD cable channel to our HD content. In conclusion, Edison TV has been producing hyper-local content since 1991. I’m in my 20th and final year at the station with no idea who the mantle will be passed on to. Hopefully it will be someone with fresh ideas and the same commitment to consistently producing professional content for an ever-evolving Edison community; hopefully someone who will rise to the occasion. Happy Holidays!

Happy “JAGmas” Season!

by George Fairfield, JAG Awards Committee, Chair

Tis the season to begin getting your JAG Award entries ready for submission…even more so than in prior years, because there are several changes that will affect your registration and submission.

First, your registration: The registration will still open on January 1, 2024 but the deadline to have all your entries registered is January 31, 2024. 

Second, your submissions: All entry submissions must be uploaded by February 15, 2024 and your video highlights will need to be uploaded by February 29, 2024. 

Be sure to mark these dates on your calendar.

And speaking of your entry submissions, there are changes to what you will need to submit.  After listening to our judges and members of JAG, it has been decided that each upload is not to be any longer than 10 minutes.

If the entry is 10 minutes or less, you will simply submit the entire video/program.

If the program is over 10 minutes, you will submit a video consisting of the opening of the program, a portion from the middle of the program, and the closing of the program, minus any credits unless they are part of the closing, with the entire run time not to exceed 10 minutes.

Each section of the “Over 10 Minute” entry must be clearly separated as follows:

1. begin with the Opening Section:  at a time of your choosing, fade to black

2. followed by 10 seconds of black

3. then fade up into the middle section; at a time of your choosing, fade to black

4. followed by 10 seconds of black

5. then fade up into the ending section: at a time of your choosing, fade to black

6. the entire entry (all three sections) is not to exceed 10 minutes

How long each section will be is up to you but the committee suggests that you show your program in its best light possible.

The goal of this change is to help bridge the gap between the diverse programming produced by the member stations of JAG while leveling the judging plane plus help the judges have a better understanding of your entry.

You still must not re-edit the program sections themselves; the sections must appear as they were originally produced and cablecast. The JAG Awards committee is excited about the coming season and look forward to seeing everyone’s submissions.  For a complete list of rules, please visit the JAG Website at jagonline.org.  If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the JAG Awards Committee Chair at gfairfield@piscatawaynj.org.

Legislative Update December 2023: News from Washington DC

by Dave Garb, Legislative Committee Chair

Closed Captioning / ADA Requirements

Where it Currently Stands for PEG

Recently, there has been concern regarding the Closed Captioning of PEG programming, and if the PEG community will be mandated to offer captioning.

Our partners at the Alliance for Community Media have some thoughts to ponder about where things currently stand on this issue.

From Mike Wassenaar, President, ACM:

Your cable channel is probably exempt from the FCC’s Captioning Rules – if revenue for the channel is less than $2M per year per the FCC’s self-implementing exemptions go into effect.  We expect the FCC will implement a registry of video channels and distributors to handle captioning complaints in the coming year.  We’ll keep our partners posted on when this is likely to happen, and what we’ll be required to provide – which will most likely be a contact address and email for questions about captioning.

As a reminder, all local governments and non-profits are subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires that organizations use the effective communication standard with local residents

( https://www.ada.gov/topics/effective-communication/ )

1. Are you a local government?  You have an ADA requirement separate from the FCC requirement to implement effective communication – or have a publicly responsible official state that it isn’t economically feasible. This means every local government should have a plan to know the cost of implementing and providing captions, even if they don’t implement them.

2. Content that is exempt on cable is exempt online per implementation of the CVAA from 2011.

If video content is online only, there is no exemption (so I suggest online only content have a captioning solution) – This includes VOD delivered via Internet.

The DOJ will state new guidelines regarding accessibility and quality standards for all online content delivered by state and local governments in early 2024.  Governments will have to meet WCAG2 standards https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/docs/   or https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/quickref/?versions=2.1.  This specifies online video needs for captions.

The DOJ proposal is for jurisdictions over 50K people. Jurisdictions would have two years to implement these standards, and those under 50K would have three years.  Please note there is no change to the Effective Communication standards suggested.

This is not a final rule – So don’t panic!  It would probably take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register, so we don’t have target dates at this time.

The key issue here is to plan when a timeline occurs, and work with vendors for best solutions (and budget accordingly in advance).

The ACM is monitoring this situation and will have materials to consider in 2024 – but talks with equipment vendors have already begun to ensure they meet WCAG2 standards in future products and upgrades. So all… don’t worry about it just yet.  However, as Mike stated, start budgeting now.  We are all doing VOD, it seems like this is something we will have to face head on whether we want to or not.

President’s Message: December 2023 Another Year is Over…..But The Work Never Ends

by Bob Duthaler

Hard to believe that yet another year is coming to a close.  It’s been a busy year for JAG on both the legislative and operational ends.  For me it also signifies the fact that my 15th year as JAG President is also coming to an end.  However, I choose to look at all this as a new beginning.  The beginning of a new year for JAG, the beginning of the twenty-fourth year of JAG’s existence and the beginning of the reorganization of the JAG board at the upcoming Trustee Meeting in January.

JAG as an organization is in perpetual motion.  This constant motion is the very strength of this organization.  The ability to grow, adjust, re-evaluate and change are the core strengths of this organization.  JAG is no different from any other organization that goes through ebbs and tides.  Complacency at some point attacks all organizations.  But it’s our ability to get through these patches that makes JAG different from other organizations.

For some time, I have noticed that attendance at our monthly meetings has not increased.  One of the things JAG does and does well is to host monthly membership meetings, typically on the last Wednesday of each month.  These meetings are one way in which the Board reports back to the membership on the operation of the organization.  These meetings also are a networking event in which members can see each other, discuss items of interest, and get to know each other on both a professional and personal level.  Finally, these meetings also act as an ongoing educational event.  JAG is in a unique position to bring in experts and vendors to introduce us to new technology and legislative updates.  For these very reasons the JAG Board and External Relations Committee works hard to bring in a series of experts and information sessions during our meetings.  To that end it is imperative that members support these initiatives and make every effort to attend the monthly meetings.

I believe that JAG is also turning the corner on membership participation in committees.  Several new members and some of our regulars are now taking an interest in serving on committees.  Their participation helps to breathe new life into the committees, which extends to the organization as a whole.  I am happy to report that some of our committees now have both new and veteran members working together.  The Membership Committee received a lot of good leads from our time at the NJ League of Municipalities Conference. They will work to expand the organization and draw in new municipal members.  Please consider joining this committee and helping to grow the organization.

The JAG Awards Committee has reorganized and formatted the JAG Awards.   The committee will be working very hard to get the awards program up and going for the new year and to have an awards show at the upcoming conference in Edison in May 16, 2024.  The committee is working on finding new and inventive ways to allow all members access to the JAG Awards and help level the playing field for operations of varied budgets, sizes, staff and volunteers.  The awards will open on January 1, 2024. So, I urge you to start preparing your entries and look for new announcements in upcoming emails, newsletters and social media.

The Legislative Committee is one of the most fluid committees in JAG, and for a very good reason.  The political landscape is always changing and with those changes there are always new polices, laws or FCC orders that effectively impact our very existence.  The committee is always working very hard on keeping on top of these changes.  They continue working closely with both NATOA and the ACM, two national organizations, in getting both information and direction.  The committee is also taking that information and relaying it to both our membership and our legislators on the local, state, and federal level with their monthly legislative newsletter.  The committee continues with their partnerships and commitment to work with the NJLM Organization as an affiliate member.  This committee has also seen a revived interest from new members and is actively seeking others to join the committee as well.

The JAG Conference Committee is already full steam ahead and working on creating what we believe will be the best conference in a long time.  It is through the evaluation of our successes and failures, and measuring these against the future, that the committee will present a refreshed conference, bring in new interest and present an exciting and informative event to our members.  The committee has also welcomed new members and is already starting an active new social media campaign.  I would urge you to follow their progress on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  Come mid-January look for an updated conference website (www.jagconference.com) and be on the lookout for informational newsletters.  It’s not too early to mark your calendar for the 2024 JAG Conference, which will be held at the Crowne Plaza in Edison, May 16, 2024.  Feel free to reach out to the committee to share your thoughts and ideas for the upcoming conference sessions. Finally, I want to wrap up this month’s update by telling you that the JAG Board of Trustees and Executive Board will be holding reorganization meetings in January 2024.  During these meetings the board will look at the outcome of the JAG Executive Board Retreat back in August, look at the upcoming landscape for the industry and, just like franchise renewals, plan for the future of the organization.  It is the board’s commitment to this organization that helps mold the future of JAG.  As the Chairman of the Board and current President it is very important to me that I am in tune with the pulse of the members.  I would urge you during the next couple of weeks to reach out to me via email or phone and express your thoughts, interests and concerns about the organization.  I will then take your thoughts and share them with the board so they may be discussed and acted upon.  It is only through your participation that the future and success of JAG can be possible.  I would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year.  And may the Jersey Access Group be equally as blessed and successful in the upcoming year.