LtE: Supporting and Renewing the Contract for RCTV

We should all be wholeheartedly supporting our local community broadcasting station, RCTV. The Select Board should be united on supporting and renewing the contract for RCTV.

I first became involved with RCTV as a volunteer filming Pop Warner games for my youngest, now in their thirties. That filming gig was a challenge as my husband gave the “colorful” commentary that I had to learn how to delete during editing. I filmed Girl Scout activities and even did a series of PSA for Town Meeting recruitment back in the day when it was a struggle to get residential involvement. I am dependent on RCTV to stay up to date on Town government meetings. Our seniors are hooked on the televised exercise classes. Our youth are given an introduction into media and potential training/education in related fields. The list goes on.

RCTV is what we, Reading Residents, want it to be. RCTV does not set the agenda, we do. That is the beauty of community broadcasting and free speech. If no one wants to film Pop Warner games, Girl Scout achievements, or your own pet peeve PSA then it won’t happen. Don’t pin that on RCTV.

Why all the negativity coming from the Reading Select Board towards our gem, RCTV? 

RCTV, to my satisfaction, explained their lack of revenue due to declining cable subscription, their main funding source. RCTV is bare boned with staff and dependent on you and me for content and often services. 

Our local community broadcast outlet, RCTV, is seemingly coming under attack from our Select Board. I would like to see RCTV stay independent from interference from the Select Board . Keep the funding and support in place for RCTV. I suggest members of the Reading Select Board take out a membership and create the content they seemingly want, that is how it works. 

Nancy Docktor
Pearl St
RCTV member