"Public-access television came about with the rise of cable television in the late '70s and early '80s. In exchange for the rights to lay cable wires on public land, cable companies were required to donate a portion of their revenue to provide facilities and airtime to allow public comment. The idea was to give voice to ordinary citizens who otherwise wouldn't have access to any media outlets. In 1984, the Cable Franchise Policy and Communications Act prohibited cable operators from exercising any editorial control over public-access channels." - PBS.org

Public Access broadcasts non-commercial cable programming created and produced by local individuals, organizations, causes and groups, and by you.