History & Future
Launched in 1995, Free Speech TV is an independent, publicly-supported, non-profit TV multi-platform digital media pioneer. Using both television and the Internet, Free Speech TV inspires viewers to become civically engaged to build a more just, equitable, and sustainable society. Free Speech TV is owned and operated by Public Communicators, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit, tax-exempt organization, founded in 1974. Free Speech TV is based in Denver, CO.
History
Free Speech TV was founded in 1995, but its roots extend back to The 90's public television show and The 90's Channel on cable television, both of which were founded in 1989. From 1995 to 2000, Free Speech TV provided weekly programming via videotape to a network of 50 community cable channels. In 2000, Free Speech TV launched the first national progressive television network when it was awarded a full-time satellite channel on DISH Network (channel 9415) as a result of an FCC policy to set aside 4% of satellite channels for public interest channels. In 2010, Free Speech TV launched its channel on DIRECTV (channel 348).
Proud highlights of the past 16 years include:
- the birth of the Indymedia movement at Seattle WTO ministerial (1999);
- live coverage of the presidential elections (2000, 2008 & 2010 midterm elections)
- launch of Democracy Now! as a daily television program (2001);
- early coverage of the anti-war movement following the tragedy of 9/11 (2001-present);
- production of the SourceCode series (2004-2007);
- broadcast of the Winter Soldier Hearings (2008);
- coverage of the National Conference for Media Reform (2008 and 2011);
- launch of GRITtv with Laura Flanders (2008);
- launch of The Thom Hartmann Program (2009) and The Big Picture w/ Thom Hartmann (2011);
- live coverage of the One Nation Working Together March (2010);
- live coverage of the Arab Spring uprisings via Al-Jazeera English (2011);
- live coverage of the Netroots Nation Conference and NAACP Convention (2011);
- launch of Free Speech TV Newswire (2011).
Future
Free Speech TV is in the early process of re-imagining its future, with a greater embrace of digital distribution and social media. With its partners in the field, Free Speech TV is pioneering new means of creating and sharing progressive media. This process will, by its nature, be one of continual innovation, evolution, and collaboration. Free Speech TV invites its viewers, producers, partners and allies to join the organization in writing the next bold, surprising, ground-breaking chapter in its ever-unfolding story. Same unwavering commitment to mission; new sets of tools to fulfill it. Look for Free Speech TV's new Roku channel and mobile apps coming soon.
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