Cable Limitations

The article "Comcast Offers More Channels" by Bill Rettew in Highlands Today, Sept. 16, was downright gullible. Rettew makes no mention of the channels Comcast no longer offers.
Rettew describes the changes as "good news," then quotes Comcast executives who say that they listen to customers. When I called Comcast to complain I was only able to speak to voicemail.
Both the CBS station in Fort Myers and the ABC station in Orlando have been dropped from Basic Cable. Comcast once carried Sebring's local station but this also has been dropped in the last year. Do they think Highlands County is in the Tampa area?
In a Sept. 21 letter, James J. White said, "Comcast does not offer a reason why I cannot keep Channel 9 [Orlando]." My guess is that advertising revenues are higher for Tampa stations.
Does the First Amendment give media providers the unlimited right to do what they want? Or do citizens also have rights? One of the reasons we have the First Amendment is the citizen's right to know. Citizens have a right to take in the news before they vote.
It isn't working out that way for Highlands County. Our congressman lives in the West Palm Beach area, yet newspapers from there are not delivered here. Likewise, Comcast, etc., do not offer us the opportunity to view television stations in our Congressional district.
Why does it matter? Last week, on the Tampa ABC station, the anchor woman told us of an intense race for Congress.
Indeed, Congressman Mahoney had just been embroiled in a sex scandal. But ABC Tampa wasn't talking about Congressman Mahoney and his opponent, who live too far away. ABC Tampa was talking about Congressman Buchanan and his opponent, Ms. Jennings.
Comcast insists that we watch Tampa channels that carry no news of our congressional district. Tampa channels don't seem to know who represents us or who is running against them. If citizens of Highlands County want to know who is running for office here, or on what platform, do not turn to Comcast.
Dale L. Gillis
Sebring