About us

Swansea Community Network (Swansea Public Access) is a multimedia production center that is dedicated in producing and sharing content for the residents of Swansea and to empower residents to be active creators of local content. Since 2005 Swansea Community Network has been committed to creating content for the community that spans across our online platforms and our three local channels.

What is PEG?

Pursuant to Section 611 of the Communications Act, local franchising authorities may require cable operators to set aside channels for public, educational, or governmental (“PEG”) use.

Government

Governmental access channels are used for programming by local governments. In most jurisdictions, the local governments directly controls these channels.

Education

Educational access channels are used by educational institutions for educational programming. Time on these channels is typically allocated among local schools, colleges and universities by either the franchising authority or the cable operator.

Public Access

Public access channels are available for use by the general public. They are usually administered either by the cable operator or by a third party designated by the franchising authority.

Franchising authorities may require cable operators to provide services, facilities, or equipment for the use of PEG channels.

In accordance with applicable franchise agreements, local franchising authorities or cable operators may adopt on their own, non-content-based rules governing the use of PEG channels. For example:

Rules may be adopted for allocating time among competing applicants on a reasonable basis other than the content of their programming.
Minimum production standards may be required.
Users may be required to undergo training.

Federal law permitted a cable operator to prohibit the use of a PEG channel for programming that contains obscene material, sexually explicit conduct, indecency, nudity, or material soliciting or promoting unlawful conduct. However, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that this law was unconstitutional. Therefore, cable operators may not control the content of programming on public access channels with the exception that the cable operator may refuse to transmit a public access program, or a portion of the program, which the cable operator reasonably believes contains obscenity.

PEG channel capacity that is not in use for its designated purpose may, with the franchising authority’s permission, be used by the cable operator to provide other cable services. Franchising authorities are directed by federal law to prescribe rules governing when this use is permitted.

SCN Board Members

The Cable Oversight Committee comprises of:

Chairmen:

Fran Kelley

Vice Chairwoman:

Sue Nedar

Members:

Chief Eric Hajder

What is the Cable Advisory Committee?

In accordance with Massachusetts General Law Chapter 166A, there is hereby established a Cable Advisory Committee (“Committee”) comprised of five (5) members. The members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Select Board, which serves as the appointing authority of the Committee and the Issuing Authority for all cable franchise licensing agreements on behalf of the Town.

Duties

The Committee shall have the following duties to support the Select Board in the implementation of the license:

Inform and educate the public about cable television service;
Assess the cable needs of the community and recommend policy changes;
Conduct regular meetings with cable company representatives to discuss matters of mutual interest;
Report to the Select Board on company compliance with the license;
Supervise the cable operator’s response to complaints;
Respond to residents’ questions regarding the cable television system;
Keep abreast of community programming issues;
Management of the Public, Educational, and Governmental (PEG) Access fund;
Develop policies and operating procedures for PEG access television, with approval from the Select Board;
Advises on issues related to the operation of PEG access television, in concert with the Town Administrator, and other subsequent staff and vendors contracted to provide related services, in support of the recording and broadcasting local government meetings, fostering the production of local events, and making production technology and training available to the public.

MEET THE TEAM

Swansea Community Network Staff

Adam Kitchen began his tenure with Swansea Community Network in August 2016. He is a graduate of Bridgewater State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in media studies in 2015. Prior to coming to Swansea, he worked for Fall River Community Media, Dartmouth Community Media and WCVB Channel 5 in various roles including robotic camera operator, editor, videographer, and public access coordinator.

Adam is pivotal in the training and implementation of public access policies and working with the community in many different aspects of video production. He looks forward to working with you!

Jonah started working for the town in 2024. He utilizes his wide array of media talents with his skilled hand in every aspect of the studio. His unique camera and editing work are evident in many SCN productions. Jonah also records and livestreams many of the town’s municipal meetings. He is currently attending Rhode Island College pursuing a degree in Media Studies.