Program Content Rules

Holyoke Media helps you, its members, produce content. We provide the equipment and training; you bring the creative ideas. You can create programming about whatever subject you would like, so long as it falls within the guidelines outlined below.

The producer retains the copyright for his/her program content produced using Holyoke Media equipment and may distribute and use such programming in other ways after it is used by Holyoke Media. Holyoke Media retains the right of unlimited cablecasts and videocasts over the internet. It is expressly understood that you and Holyoke Media share rights to the resulting content, including the perpetual right to publish and perform in any medium, unless a rental agreement is in place. All programming produced through the facilities of Holyoke Media must appropriately credit the organization. Guidelines for crediting can be found in our Content Rules. 

Producers are solely responsible for the content of their program. Obtaining personal releases, minor permission forms and all necessary approvals, clearances, and licenses for the use of any program material is exclusively the responsibility of the producer. These may include, but are not limited to: broadcast stations, networks, music licensing organizations, performer’s representatives, and any and all other persons as may be necessary. A responsible adult shall verify, in writing, that authorization has been obtained concerning use of any equipment by a minor; and/or appearance of any minor; and/or that all necessary approvals/licenses have been obtained. 

The staff and Board of Directors of Holyoke Media are not responsible for any disputes arising from the unauthorized use of any image, likeness or copyrighted material.

Presentation of the following material on Holyoke Media is prohibited:

1. Any program that is commercial in nature;
2. Any material which is intended to defraud the viewer or is designed to obtain money by false or fraudulent pretenses, representations or promises;
3. All advertisement of, or information concerning any lottery, gift enterprises or similar scheme offering prizes dependent in whole or part upon lot or chance; or any list of the prizes drawn or awarded by means of such lottery, gift enterprises or scheme, whether list contains any part or all of such prizes.
4. Any material which constitutes libel, slander invasion of privacy or publicity rights, or which might violate any other local, state or federal law.
5. Any obscene and indecent material. This type of programming is not permitted on cable television by federal law. A program is considered obscene if: 

• • An average person, applying contemporary community standards for the cable medium, would find the material, taken as a whole, appeals to prurient (sexual) interest; 
  • It depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct specifically defined by applicable state law; and 
  • The work, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.

1. Any program material that creates the immediate danger to property or persons. Although the enforcement should be performed by appropriate law enforcement authorities, any content that is (1) intended to incite or provoke dangerous activity; and (2) likely to succeed in achieving that result, is prohibited. This applies to advocacy of using force, violence, or acting in violation of the law.
2. Any advertising by, or on behalf of, candidates for public office, political parties or ballot/warrant issues.
3. Programs containing material that violates copyright or trademarks. Use of such material generally requires obtaining appropriate rights from music licensing organizations, publishers, representatives, copyright holders, broadcast stations networks and other persons as necessary. Members may be asked to furnish written authorization for use of such materials.

At no time, and under no circumstance, will producers make or record content that attempts to, or violates, the law or that documents successful or unsuccessful attempts to violate the law.

Crediting

Members must credit Holyoke Media on any content they have produced using our facilities. Video programs will denote that they are produced using Holyoke Media’s equipment with an end slide or video. For the most up to date credit, please ask a staff person. Podcast programs will credit by saying “This program has been produced in association with Holyoke Media.”

Music and other audio recording should add the following text to the liner notes or primary description field for the track and/or album: “Produced in association with Holyoke Media.”

Underwriting Announcements

Commercial advertising is prohibited from the access channels. Programs can acknowledge monetary or other contributions, but they may not promote the goods and services of for-profit donors or underwriters. Acceptable enhanced underwriting acknowledgements may include:

1. Slogans that identify but do not promote.
2. Location information.
3. Value-neutral descriptions of a product line or service.
4. Brand names, trade names and product service listings.

If you are interested in having underwriting on your program, please review the Underwriting and Grants policy and ask someone on staff for assistance.

Political Programming

Any certified candidate for public office or ballot issue campaign for which Holyoke residents may vote are afforded the same rights as a resident of Holyoke with regard to access to our facilities, training, equipment and channel time on a first-come, first-served, non-discriminatory basis. A sufficient block of time will be reserved during each political campaign season to enable a comprehensive selection of political programs to be shown. 

Regarding political programs, the following are encouraged:

1. Political presentations which are informative in nature such that they state who a candidate is and what a candidate represents in terms of specific ideas, issues and policies;
2. Candidate forums to which all certified candidates have been invited.
3. Presentations that describe a particular point of view on a given topic.

Candidates may submit Community Bulletin Board postings for campaign events. These postings may only include the following: Name of organization, time and date of event, location, transportation, and contact number. 

Political advertising by, or on behalf of, candidates for public office, political parties or ballot issues is strictly prohibited, as well as any program which presents candidates for public office, or spokespersons for political parties or ballot/warrant issues, within 7 days of an election, except for candidate forums or debates to which all parties concerned have been invited, or public meetings in which one or more candidates participate.

Any program promoting particular candidates or ballot questions must identify who produced, sponsored and/or paid for the production and must include a disclaimer inserted at the beginning and end of each political program stating:

“The views expressed on this program are those of the producer(s), and do not reflect the view of Holyoke Community Media, the City of Holyoke, or the cable operator.”