For a democratic society to function properly, citizens must participate in their government, be educated to think critically and be able to freely communicate their ideas. The Peoples Channel’s mission is to advance democratic ideals by ensuring that people have access to electronic media and by promoting effective communication through community uses of media.

Through this mission, we aim to provide the means and promote the opportunity for area citizens to exercise free speech through media production, education and distribution of cable television programming. The primary goal of The Peoples Channel is to promote use of the designated access channel(s) by coordinating the use of the public access channel(s) and providing production facilities, and to provide technical assistance and media training to any individual, group, or organization interested in producing cultural, informational, entertainment, or educational media productions of interest to the community.

The Peoples Channel will provide Chapel Hill, Durham and surrounding area residents, organizations, agencies and institutions with media training, equipment, production and related services on a first-come, first-served First Amendment basis. The Peoples Channel’s policies are designed to ensure maximum convenience and fairness for all in the community. Since TPC wants public access and community media facilities to be available to the whole community, TPC welcomes your suggestions on how the organization may improve these policies. All suggestions received will be reviewed by the Board of Directors.

For a PDF of TPC's Policies & Procedures, click here.

To see our annual report, click here. (The file is very large)

Here is a wonderful video from our friends at CAN TV about community acces television.