On July 10th, I will testify before the Massachusetts Legislature on behalf of Nantucket Community Television in support of S.41/H.91, a bill that would modernize funding for community media.
The truth is: community media is at risk, and your voice can help save it. Please email your letter by July 14th at 5:00 pm.
As Director of Programming at NCTV, I’m speaking not just for our organization, but for the youth, elders, artists, and families we serve every day. But the Legislature needs to hear from the community itself. Your voices are what will make this real.
What’s at stake? NCTV and stations like ours are partially funded through cable television fees. But as more people turn to streaming platforms, this funding is rapidly disappearing. Bill S.41/H.91 would modernize how community media is funded, ensuring that we can continue to operate - regardless of how people access content.
If this legislation doesn’t pass, the real risk is:
If NCTV has impacted you, your child, your classroom, your business, or your sense of connection to the island, please submit a written comment in support of these bills. It can be as short as a few sentences. What matters most is that it comes from you.
How to submit written testimony:
If you believe in the power of community-led storytelling—
If you’ve ever been moved by a voice that made you see things differently—
NOW is the moment to speak up.
For the media that reflects our island back to itself.
For the young people finding their voices.
For the elders who share their wisdom.
And for our mission at NCTV to empower Nantucket voices.
With gratitude,
Stephanie Serra, Director of Programming
[Your Full Name]
[Your Affiliation/Relationship to NCTV, if applicable]
[Your Address, optional]
[Date]
Email subject line: AITIC Written Testimony (Bill S.41/H.91)
To the Honorable Chairs and Members of the
Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet, and Cybersecurity
Dear Chair Farley-Bouvier, Chair Moore, and Members of the Committee,
My name is [Your Full Name], and I am writing to express my strong support for Bill S.41/H.91, which seeks to modernize the funding model for community media in Massachusetts. Community media outlets like Nantucket Community Television (NCTV) play an essential role in connecting, educating, and empowering individuals within our local communities.
This legislation addresses a critical challenge facing community media today. With the ongoing shift away from cable television to streaming platforms, the funding derived from cable fees, which has long sustained outlets like NCTV, has been rapidly diminishing. Bill S.41/H.91 offers an equitable solution by modernizing the funding mechanisms to ensure these vital stations continue to thrive, irrespective of how people access content.
Community media is more than just a channel to consume information—it is a platform for storytelling, civic engagement, and creativity that reflects the unique voices of Massachusetts residents. Programs produced by NCTV, for instance, have enriched our community by providing opportunities for young people to express themselves, enabling elders to share their wisdom, and keeping residents informed about local matters and events. Losing this resource would be a tremendous setback for civic engagement, education, and cultural preservation.
I urge the Committee to give Bill S.41/H.91 a favorable vote for the following reasons:
Preserving Local Voices: Community media platforms amplify the voices of the diverse populations they serve, offering everyone the opportunity to participate in the narrative of their community.
Supporting Education and Engagement: Outlets like NCTV provide youth programs, elder initiatives, and civic forums that inspire learning and strengthen the social fabric of communities.
Ensuring Accessibility: Community media remains one of the most accessible and inclusive platforms for individuals of all ages and backgrounds to share their stories, engage with one another, and access relevant information.
Please consider the profound impact community media has on the lives of individuals and families across Massachusetts. I respectfully ask the Committee to stand in support of this legislation and ensure that platforms like NCTV can continue to serve as essential resources for connection, creativity, and community.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter and for your commitment to supporting local voices and community innovation.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Information, optional]
Note: Feel free to personalize this testimony by adding your own experiences or specific ways that NCTV or similar community media outlets have positively impacted you or your community. If you want to share what you sent with NCTV, please copy the Director of Marketing, Arlene O’Reilly, at arlene@ournctv.org