The Harford Cable Network (HCN) is a public-access multi-use channel operated by the County Council (Council) of Harford County, Maryland (County). The Council has established an Advisory Board (Board) to coordinate the affairs of HCN and promote programming of interest to the County's citizens. (See Public Law 91.47, Section 9-176.3.A.)

Since its inception, the Board has devoted much of its time and energy to reviewing individual programming requests by County citizens and others (Requests). At its regularly scheduled meeting on March 11, 1993 the Board established a Programming Committee (Committee) to review these Requests, so that the Board could devote more of its energies to the development and implementation of a strategic plan (Plan). The Committee was charged with managing and reviewing programming requests on a trial basis, for a period of three (3) months.

Upon review, and in furtherance of the Plan, the Board has determined that it would be advantageous for HCN to continue to manage these Requests by Committee, in lieu of the full Board. However, the Board has determined that the Committee should govern its deliberations by certain programming guidelines (Guidelines). Subject to review and approval by the Council, in accordance with Public Law 91.47, Section 9-176.3.C, The Board hereby establishes the Programming Committee and its Guidelines.

A. Establishment. The Board establishes a Programming Committee (Committee) to review and manage all programming requests to HCN (Requests). The Committee shall consist of five (5) persons, who are members of the Board, and who are chosen by a majority of the Board. Members of the Committee shall serve coterminously with their term on the Board. Members of the Committee may be removed, with or without cause, by a vote of the majority of the Board. The Board shall designate a member of the committee to serve as Chair.

B. Duties. The Committee shall conduct its proceedings as follows: 1. All Requests to HCN shall be directed to the Committee's Chair. The Chair shall convene the Committee to meet on a monthly basis to review all Requests received by HCN since the Committee's last meeting. 2. Requests shall be submitted to HCN in such form, and accompanied by such tapes or materials, as the Committee may require. 3. The Committee may not deliberate without a quorum of its members. The Committee may not conduct its deliberation by telephone, unless (i) the Chair determines that the Request could be adversely affected by delay, (ii) every member of the Committee participates in telephonic deliberations, and (iii) all Committee members are timely apprised of the Committee's determination by the Chair. 4. The Committee shall keep regular and complete minutes of its deliberations, which minutes shall be delivered to the Board at the Board's next meeting. 5. The Committee shall govern its deliberations in all respects by these Guidelines.

The following Guidelines shall govern all deliberations of the Committee.

A. Funding.

All "ready to broadcast" programming which conforms in all other respects to these Guidelines shall be approved for transmission on HCN, at no additional cost to the programming entity or individual. All other programming shall not be approved for transmission, except as follows: 1. Council Requests. The Council may direct that HCN produce and transmit any programming approved by a majority of the Council, pursuant to the Council's procedures. Directives from the Council shall be communicated to the Committee's Chair, by such person or persons as the Council may authorize from time to time. Council Requests shall conclusively meet all other Guidelines set forth hereinafter: 2. All other entities or individuals shall reimburse HCN for the costs associated with producing any Requests (Production Costs), as such Production Costs may be determined by HCN's Producer/Manager. Where Production Costs are established by the Council and the Board through a "rate card", the Producer/Manager shall apply the rate card to determine Production Costs. Programming which is funded as set forth in this section shall be approved for transmission on HCN, and produced by the Producer/Manager, provided it conforms in all other respects with these Guidelines.

B. Content.

HCN is a public-access channel whose primary purpose is to educate, inform and promote a sense of community among Harford County's citizens. The primary content of all programming on HCN shall be consistent with HCN's primary purpose. 1. Permitted Content. Programming whose primary content is consistent with, or meets, one of the following three (3) criteria shall be approved for transmission on HCN, provided it conforms in all other respects with these Guidelines. a. Programming must be "educational" - offered in conjunction with a state or county public educational institution; or b. Programming must be "informational" - offered in conjunction with a state, county, or local government, or an entity coordinating emergency response or "preparedness"; or c. Programming must be produced by a County citizen, or primarily concern County citizens, events, and/or issues which may be of interest to the County's citizens. 2. Prohibited Content. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary hereinabove, no program shall be transmitted by HCN which: a. "Advertises" a "for profit" enterprise. Programming which succinctly "credits" a "for profit" sponsor for assistance with production costs, information, materials, advice or expertise shall not be disqualified for "advertising". b. "Solicits" support for any political cause of candidacy. The following shall not be disqualified for "soliciting": (i) "Issue-oriented programming" - where one or more candidates or advocates state their position on issues of interest to the County's citizens without soliciting for their election; (ii) "Debates" - where all competing candidates are given equal time to explain their views and advocate their election; (iii) "open forums" - where elected officials and/or candidates/advocates appear to discuss issues in a public meeting place, without soliciting for their election. c. "Promotes" one religious doctrine as superior to all or any others. Programming which offers a specific or uniquely religious perspective - without denigrating the validity of any other religious beliefs (or non-belief) shall not be disqualified for "promoting". d. Promotes a lottery, gift, enterprise or similar scheme that offers prizes awarded on the basis of chance (as prohibited under 47 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 76.213). e. Directly or indirectly solicits funds from cable subscribers (unless specifically authorized by the Board). f. Is determined to be "obscene", applying contemporary judicial or legislative standards in the controlling judicial or legislative jurisdiction. g. Violates any federal, state, or local statues. h. Is judged to be illegal, unlicensed or stolen and legal action may be forthcoming. i. Violates Title 17 of the United States Code, pertaining to copyright infringement. Applicant must show evidence of copyright permission. Any necessary individual releases must be available for review by the Committee, upon the Committee's request.

C. Production Values

1. There must be a moderator, provided by the organization making the request, throughout the entire production to keep the flow going and to keep the time restraints. There is a two (2) hour maximum time limitation unless pre-approved by the HCN Producer/Manager. 2. That whenever ANYONE is speaking, singing, performing, etc., they must be properly miked so they can be heard clearly and recorded onto videotape. This includes people in an audience who wish to make an address or ask questions at appropriate times. 3. There must be a clear, crisp picture that is broadcast quality. Poor picture quality can be caused by improper lighting, multiple generation copies, poor workmanship by the camera person (shaky, out of focus, too much zooming in and out), poor editing (jump shots, "rainbows", "snow"), too much or too little headroom and or lead-room. 4. Must have proper set design. 5. Must have proper introduction and end credits. RULES for requirements.

D. Concept/Programming Match

The program will not be aired if it does not conform to the original concept as set forth by the applicant in the Application for Broadcast/Production. Any "new" program concept must go through application procedures.

E. Overall Quality

1. All HCN programming should be of the highest technical and artistic quality. A commitment to excellence signals to our community that HCN is dedicated to the highest caliber of community oriented service. Section 3. Transmission Times Programming which meets all other Guidelines shall be approved for transmission by HCN at such time(s) as the Committee directs. Absent such direction, it shall air at such time(s) as the Producer/Manager seems appropriate in view of previously scheduled programming and other possible conflicts.

Applicant must provide all relevant information regarding the content of any program. HCN and the County Council of Harford County shall not warrant the accuracy of any information cablecast over HCN. The opinions and views expressed in programs broadcast by HCN are not necessarily the opinions and views held by HCN or County Council. HCN reserves the right to show disclaimers for programs broadcast over HCN.

A. Notice.

Any interested party may appeal any finding or determination by the Committee to the Board. A notice of appeal ("notice") shall be directed in writing by the appellant to the Board's chair, together with any and all written documents which the appellant intends to submit to the Board, not less than two (2) weeks prior to the Board meeting at which the appeal is heard. Notices of appeal, together with all supporting documents, shall be forwarded to the Board's members together with minutes from the previous Board meeting and the next meeting's agenda. Appeals shall be noted as "new business" on the meeting agenda.

B. Hearing.

At such time as set forth in the Board's agenda, The appellant shall present such testimony, videotape or other supporting information as the Board's chair deems relevant to the Board. At the conclusion of the appellant's presentation, the Board shall determine whether to uphold or overturn the determination of the Committee, by a vote of the majority of the Board.

C. Determinations of Committee pending Board review.

Pending review by the Board on appeal, determinations by the Committee shall be effective immediately until overturned by a majority of the Board.

1. That there will be a moderator, provided by the organization making the request, throughout the entire event to keep the flow going and to keep the time restraints. There is a two (2) hour maximum time limitation unless pre-approved by the HCN producer/manager. 2. That whenever ANYONE is speaking, singing, performing, etc., they must walk up to a microphone so they can be heard and recorded on videotape. This includes people in the audience who wish to make an address or ask questions at appropriate times. 3. That once equipment placement has been established by the HCN staff, then there will be no change to that plan, unless made by the sole discretion of the HCN staff member in charge. 4. That HCN or its staff are not responsible for setting up such things as PA systems, tables, chairs, podiums, etc. unless previously arranged and agreed upon by the HCN Board, otherwise it is the sole responsibility of the requesting organization to meet these needs. 5. That the HCN staff member in charge of a particular production be allowed access to facilities at which production is to occur at least 72 hours prior to the event to diagram production arrangements. If there are any placement arrangements or problems with such, then this is the ONLY time that requesting organization should voice them. 6. That HCN staff be given at least 3 hours prior to doors opening to the public to gain access to facilities to set up equipment. 7. That it is the sole discretion of the HCN technical staff to determine if the requested production can technically be done. 8. That HCN and its staff have exclusive rights to tape requested productions and that any other recording personnel be given secondary consideration and must have approval of HCN staff member incharge, as to where they may place any such equipment. In other words, HCN's production is the priority and the requesting organization must give us such. 9. That, if any time prior or during the requested production, the requesting organization fails to meet ANY of these guidelines then it is the sole decision of the HCN staff member in charge whether to pursue this production or to cancel the request.