WUWF TV Guide to Policies and Procedures WUWF TV The University of West Florida 11000 University Parkway, Building 88 Pensacola, FL 32514 850.474.2787 850.474.2514 http://wuwf.tv WATCHDOG TELEVISION FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA
Table of Contents Program Content Program Content...2 What kind of programs can I produce? Program Proposal Production Procedure... 6 Facilities Use...8 A variety of programs appear on WUWF TV including art, music, cultural events, nonprofit groups, children s programs, educational programs, documentaries, and talk shows. Program Scheduling...11 Program Ownership...14 Record Keeping...15 Resolution of Disputes...16 You mean anyone can put programs on the public access channels? WUWF TV production facilities and access channel are available on a first-come, first-served, nondiscriminatory basis to any individual who is a resident of Escambia County or group of residents of Escambia County. Non-Escambia County residents are ineligible to use the facility. Minors under the age of 18 mus t be accompanied by an adult willing to accept legal responsibility or must have written permission signed by a parent, guardian, or sponsor on file accepting responsibility. Any individual or group may submit programs for the WUWF TV access channel. Public access time will be allocated for 30 minutes. In order to make access time available to the greatest number of users, a group or individual seeking time on WUWF TV will be allowed access not more than once during each month. 1 2
Program Content Program Content Is there anything I cannot produce? There are very few restrictions, but producers must certify that their programs do not contain X-rated material, unfair attacks upon another person, promotion of a commercial product or service, requests for money, or lotteries in any form. If copyrighted material is used, permission for its use must be secured by the producer. The statement of compliance requires the access p roducer to accept responsibility for program content and the program will be cablecast as submitted. Although it is not the intention of WUWF TV or Cox Cable to censor publ ic access content, certain legal considerations have been incorporated into the policies regarding program content. The following guidelines govern public access programming content. What do you mean by obscene? Obscenity is defined in the City of Pensacola code 122-36 (b): Obscene: Any material or performance is obscene if (a) considered as a whole, its predominant appeal is to prurient, shameful or morbid interest in nudity, se x, excretion, sadism, or masochism, and (b) it goes substantially beyond customary limits of candor in describing or representing such matters, and (c) it is utterly without redeeming social value. Predominant appeal shall be judged with reference to ordinary material or the circumstances of its dissemination to susceptible audience. Escambia County enforces the Florida State Statutes on obscenity. What do you mean by lottery? Public access programming must not contain: 1. Any material that is obscene, libelous, or slanderous as defined by federal, state, or local laws. 2. Lottery, gambling, or pari-mutuel schemes. 3. Material designed to promote the sale of commercial products or service s. 4. Solicitation of funds. 5. Material or performances that require copyright or trademark authorization unless written authorization for the use of such materials is secured and a copy is on file with WUWF TV. A lottery is any scheme that offers a prize, determines a winner at least in part by chance, and requires payment to participate. 3 4
Program Content Program Proposal Production Procedure Public Inspection File What is the procedure for producing a program? WUWF TV shall maintain a public inspection file as required by the FCC rules, 76.205 (d). This file shall be maintained at 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola, Florida. Copies of any material in the file are available for machine reproduction upon request made in person, provided that the requesting party pay 25 cents per copied page. The request for copies shall be fulfilled within a reasonable perio d of time, which in no event shall be longer than seven days. Before production, the following tasks must be completed: 1. Confer with WUWF TV staff member. 2. Submit a program proposal information sheet. 3. Complete the appropriate forms. 4. Obtain signed releases from all talent in your show and secure written permission from copyright ho lders for audio, visual, or written material used in your program. Violation of Prohibitions What is a program proposal? Violation of these prohibitions may subject the user to immediate forfeiture of the privilege of using the WUWF TV equipment and facilities. All potential WUWF TV access producers must submit a completed program proposal information sheet. Program proposals communicate the intent and technical requirements of a production. The program proposal is the application for WUWF TV facilities reservation. A proposal may be rejected on the basis of the user s failure to follow through and complete a previous proposal. Approval is based upon technical feasibility and complete documentation. 5 6
Program Proposal Production Procedure Facilities Use Can a local business sponsor my program? How do I make reservations? Advertising during a WUWF TV public access show is prohibited. Sponsor identification is not permitted during public programs. How do I promote my program? After your program has been approved for airing, there are many ways you can promote your program. Press releases, video promos, fliers, posters, letters to individuals or groups, and word of mouth are all helpful in promoting your program. WUWF TV will be unable to physically or financially help promote your program. Reservations are scheduled by WUWF TV staff on a first-come, first-served basis. You must make reservations a minimum of 10 working days in advance. All reservations are for the specified time only. Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled production, so that we may start on time. The WUWF TV studio is used for many different types of functions and runs on a very tight schedule. Your production will be cancelled if you are 15 minutes late fo r your appointment, and any tardiness may affect the 30- minute length of your program. You must notify WUWF TV within 24 hours if you are unable to attend your production as scheduled. Two cancellations in one year without proper notification will result in a six month suspension of user privileges. The studio is not a rehearsal venue. All Public Access tapings must be used in the month in which they are recorded. What are the rules about using the studio? Food and drink are not allowed in the WUWF TV studios unless they are being used as a legitimate part of the set. Smoking in the building is not permitted. 7 8
Facilities Use Facilities Use Does WUWF TV provide videotapes? Can I be denied use of production facilities? WUWF TV will provide a master tape for acces s programs produced at our facility. WUWF TV will not assume any responsibility for personal tapes or other item s left at the facility. WUWF TV reserves the right to hold and replay all master tapes. You may purchase your master tape following the broadcast; otherwise, the master will be erased following a period of 30 days. May I store sets and props at WUWF TV? Space at WUWF TV is extremely limited. Therefore, props and sets cannot be stored at the facility. The WUWF TV staff may refuse the use of its production facilities to: 1. Anyone who is disruptive or disorderly. 2. Anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 3. Anyone making false or misleading statements in their applications for use. 4. Anyone who abuses, vandalizes, or steals access equipment, tape, or facilities. 5. Anyone who uses WUWF TV facilities for purposes unrelated to the production of programs for telecast on WUWF TV. Absolutely no commercial use is allowed. 6. Anyone who fails to abide by the rules and procedures established by The University of West Florida or Cox Cable. What if I break something? You are responsible for any damage due to misuse, mistreatment, accident, neglect, or theft. Normal wear and tear are excluded. Where damage or loss of WUWF T V equipment and/or facilities results, suspensions will be immediate and remain in effect until compensation is made for damages. 9 10
Program Scheduling Program Scheduling May I present a completed program for air? How will my program be introduced? Yes. Any individual or organization based in Escambia County Florida with an air-ready videotape ma y submit the tape for telecast. Channel time will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. We only accept DVC- PRO/L (large) tapes, Mini-DV tapes, and DVD-R s. At the start of each WUWF TV public access program, will be the following disclaimer: This is public access television. The views expressed on this program are not necessarily those of WUWF TV, UWF, or Cox Cable. What does Air-Ready mean? What is the procedure for scheduling a completed program? Air-Ready means that a videotape meets minimal technical requirements: 1. A videotape must have no skewing, burst, blanking, sync, or tracking problems. 2. Each tape must have 30 seconds of color bars, 0 d B tone, 30 seconds of black, a 10 second countdown before the program, and 30 seconds of black following the program. 3. Tapes must be labeled with th e show title, producer s name, and total running time. A completed program along with program information sheet, talent release form, and statement of compliance are turned into scheduling at least 10 working days before the telecast date. These forms describe your program and release the University of West Florida from any liability which might be incurred as a result of the telecast of your program. If you commit to a telecast date and do not submit the tape on time, your telecast time will be cancelled and you will be suspended from using WUWF TV for 90 days. 11 12
Program Scheduling Program Ownership Can I ever be denied distribution of my program? Who owns the copyright to my program? Not if you meet all of the Program Content requirements on pages 2-5. Access to program distribution via WUWF TV cannot be denied on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, age, physical disability, religious or political beliefs, or the nature of the program content (see Program Content pages 2-5). Producers of public access programs retain the copyright of their program. May I have a copy of my show? If you want a copy of your program, request a copy and pay the current fees. WUWF TV will copy your program after it is telecast. You may purchase that master of your show within 30 days following the completion its airing. Costs for dubs are $10 for a DVD or DVC-PRO master. May anyone have a copy of my show? No. WUWF TV cannot authorize use or distribute any tape without the prior written consent of the producer, excep t when required by a regulatory body or a court of appropriate jurisdiction. 13 14
Record Keeping Resolution of Disputes Does WUWF TV keep public records? Is there a procedure for resolution of disputes? WUWF TV maintains a record of all persons an d organizations requesting time on WUWF TV. These records are maintained in a public inspection file and are available for inspection during normal business hours. The University of West Florida and WUWF TV have been charged with the responsibility of resolving us age and restriction issues that may arise. When disputes or disagreements occur, the following procedure will be used to resolve the matter: 1. The user should present, in writing within 10 working day s, his or her concerns to the manager of WUWF TV. 2. A decision shall be communicated to the user, in writing within 10 working days, by the manager of WUWF TV. All decisions made by WUWF TV management are final. However, management may consult with the producers to discuss their dispute before reaching a final decision. 15 16