Presenting free legal resources on public access television
Abstract
An AmeriCorps*VISTA member serving with Passaic County Legal Aid Society in New Jersey produces a monthly public access television program that presents free legal resources to the community. Each 30-minute episode features interviews with community members and footage of relevant community sites.Issue
For many low-income, disabled, or elderly residents it is difficult to access, let alone afford legal resources.Action
AmeriCorps*VISTA member Christine Brisson, who serves with Passaic County Legal Aid Society (PCLAS), produces the public access television series, "Your Community, Your Rights: Equal Justice in Passaic County." The series has presented legal information on domestic violence, the Americans with Disabilities Act, tenants rights, HIV/AIDS, and parents rights. Topics are often based on suggestions made by clients of PCLAS.
A new half-hour episode is presented each month. That initial presentation is followed by repeat presentations once a week for the remainder of the month. The episodes feature interviews with community members and footage of community sites relevant to the topics being covered. Several community-based organizations have assisted with episode direction, editing, and production of the program.
Production costs are relatively low for the program. PCLAS utilizes a public access studio for free, so the main expense is personnel. It is estimated that at least thirty hours of preparation, three to four hours of filming, and twelve hours of editing are required to produce one 30-minute episode. Other costs include supplies, such as videotapes and batteries, and publicity. Funding for the program is primarily covered by PCLAS, with additional support from local law firms and Rotary Clubs. PCLAS has also been awarded several grants in which the television program was incorporated.
Passaic County Legal Aid Society had considered the TV show idea for several years, but wasn't able to actualize it until Brisson began serving with the organization as an AmeriCorps*VISTA member. Brisson did not have previous television experience, but acquired certification to use all video production equipment. She received her training, as did several PCLAS staff volunteers and community members, at Cablevision, Inc.'s public access studio in Paterson, New Jersey. The training, materials, and studio time is provided at no cost to qualifying residents and community groups.
Context
Passaic County Legal Aid Society in New Jersey is a 501(3)(c) non-profit organization founded in 1966. Their "Equal Justice" philosophy guides them to help poor people by providing them with free high quality legal aid. They also provide legal aid to other non-profit organizations that assist the poor. PCLAS believes that poor people do have the capacity to solve their own problems if they are given the appropriate resources.Outcome
Free legal information is presented to community viewers and highlights community resources that can assist them.
Although the public access channel does not maintain viewer statistics to indicate ratings for the programming, the word-of-mouth response from the community has been very supportive.
Posted On
October 17, 2001For More Information