Local Television Case Studies and Symposium Task Force
An AMIA task force has been formed to focus on mapping a strategy to address the problems of preserving local television. The Local Television Case Studies and Symposium Task Force proposes mounting a project that would join archivists and local television producing entities in discussing issues and making recommendations that impact the preservation of local television in the United States. This is an AMIA project in association with the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).

NATAS is structured at the national and local levels, and has mechanisms in place (regional chapters, newsletters, web sites, etc.) that would allow the organization to reach its members and encourage them to participate in the project. AMIA will concentrate on reaching archivists; NATAS will concentrate on reaching producers and local stations through its 15,000 members.

Creation of a database describing the local television holdings of public archives and stations
Creation and dissemination of case studies that illustrate issues of concern in forming relationships between public archives and stations
A 2-day symposium that will focus on the case studies, and conclude with recommendations to the field
The case studies will be organized around these issues: 1) Rights; 2) Intellectual Control; 3) Asset Protection; 4) Revenue; 5) Selection. Each issue may use one or more case studies to illustrate how different archives and stations have approached, resolved, or are developing solutions to problems encompassed by a particular issue.

To achieve the goal of reaching beyond the AMIA constituency for purposes of conducting the survey, inviting participants, and publicizing the project, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) has agreed to participate in association with AMIA on this project. NATAS boasts a national, regional and local structure that will help to reach producers and local TV stations. AMIA will publicize the plan and survey among archival entities; NATAS will adopt a similar course of action among video producers and television stations.

Members of the AMIA Local Television Case Studies and Symposium Task Force:

Steering Committee
Bonnie Wilson, co-chair (AMIA)
Karen Cariani, co-chair (AMIA)
Greg Lukow (AMIA)
Richard Fauss (AMIA)
Lisa Carter (liaison to AMIA board)
Mark Ritchie (AMIA)
Linda Giannechini (NATAS)
Working Groups

Database: Karen Cariani, Jane Beal, Mark Ritchie
Rights: David Weiss
Intellectual Control: Karan Sheldon
Asset Protection: Steve Davidson, Sara Meyerson
Revenue: Lynn Farnell, Lisa Carter
Selection: Douglas Gomery, Bonnie Wilson

March, 2006 - Final Report to AMIA Board (pdf)

Local Television: A Guide to Saving Our Heritage

© 2007 The Association of Moving Image Archivists