NCJ Number
120317
Date Published
1988
Length
31 pages
Annotation
This manual first describes "Race and Reason," a cablecast by hate groups, and then discusses the legal issues involved in countering such programs, followed by suggestions for a strategy to counteract the negative effects of the programming.
Abstract
"Race and Reason" is a series of 30-minute programs produced in a talk-show format. The shows feature Tom Metzger as moderator interviewing representatives of extremist groups that hold white-separatist views. Metzger claims to have the program cablecast over 25 cable systems around the country. Metzger and others are able to force the showing of racist programming over cable TV systems in communities where the cable franchise agreement requires the cable operator to provide "public access" channels. Under such an agreement, any programming which constitutes speech protected by the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution can be shown over a public access channel without censorship. This booklet focuses on three case histories of communities that have experienced racist cable programming, with attention to the communities' response to racist programming, their subsequent efforts to come to terms with it, and the outcome. In drawing lessons from these cases, a strategy of response is proposed. The recommended strategy cautions against the repression of free speech and efforts to eliminate public-access cable programming. It proposes an educational approach that uses public access channels and other community means to challenge racist propaganda and present a human rights ideology. 52 footnotes, a resource list.