About PCAC

The Philadelphia Community Access Coalition (PCAC) was formed in August of 1997 out of concern about the lack of public access cable television in Philadelphia, and has grown to address new issues of media access as cable technology advances. PCAC is a grassroots coalition of individuals and organizations working together through outreach, organizing and advocacy for the establishment of public access cable media in Philadelphia.

Every American has the right to free speech; however the public’s voice often goes unheard in the mainstream media, which has come to serve the profit-generated interests of huge corporate monopolies. As corporate power and influence has grown, the government has acted to serve these interests rather than protect the public interest. The climate is fast becoming one where valuable public resources are traded away, and public policy serves to limit the people’s right to be heard. PCAC strives to protect the public interest as watchdogs, educators and advocates so that people in Philadelphia will be able to access today’s electronic media to effectively communicate their views.

In cities that have public access television, it has become a powerful (and often the only) means for community groups and individuals to have their voices heard in a society flooded with commercial messages. Women, teens, elderly, people with disabilities, people of color, and sexual minority groups are among the many who have found their voices through public access in other cities. We would like to see that happen in Philadelphia.

PCAC is a coalition of more than 80 Philadelphia-based organizations fighting for public access cable television. Our work is made possible by grants from area foundations (including the Bread and Roses Foundation and the Golden Rule Foundation) as well as from the generous donations from our members.