Selected Key Events / Assignments
1992 Open Channel devised a 'Euroform'
training programme for Television production skills
in association with three European partners: Foyle
Film (Derry), Jungle Trommen (Copenhagen) and Kanal X
(Leipzig).
1993 Open Channel became a founder member of
the Community Video Network (now renamed Community
Media Network), a not for profit organisation whose
aim is to promote the use of video for community and
local development. Legal advice was also sought
from Open Channel on its incorporation as a company
limited by guarantee in 1994.
- Open Channel were the organisers of the
first ever National Conference on Community
Television in Ireland. This took place in the
Irish Film Centre and the keynote address was given
by Mr Laurence Cassidy of the Arts Council.
1994 With the support of FAS, a
permanent Community Television Base was established
within Open Channel. This Community Employment
project has a full-time co-ordinator and fifteen
participants who continue to strive towards the
ideals of Open Channel and is also committed to
equipping its workers with the necessary
training and skills to secure full time
employment.
1995 Open Channel with the
assistance of FAS and the Dublin local authorities,
organised the second National Conference on
Community Television, at which Community
Television and special interest groups throughout the
country initiated development of a strategy for the
introduction of a Community Television Service.
- The
third National Conference on Community Television was
co-ordinated by Open Channel and was attended by a
wide range of interested organisations. An ad-hoc
committee was established to draw up a submission to
the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht in
response to the Green Paper on Broadcasting. A
statement of principles was presented to the Minister
in September 1995.
Open Channel organised and led the Irish delegation
to the Flic Flac Young People's Media Festival in
Caernarfon, Wales.
Open Channel initiated and organised Irish
representation at the European Youth Media Summer
School in Holland. A group of Open
Channel trainees, led by a facilitator, spent two
weeks in Hilversum working with young people from
nine other European countries. They produced two half
hour TV programmes which were broadcast in several
countries.
A submission was made to the Department of Arts,
Culture and the Gaeltacht in response to the
Green Paper on Broadcasting. This outlined a detailed
plan / strategy for Community Television in
Ireland.
1996 Open Channel in association with
Teilifs na Gaeilge and the National Youth
Council of Ireland hosted a three-day training
workshop in video production for young people called
Teic Eile, which covered all aspects of video
production. Each participant produced their own short
video. This is now an annual event.
1997 Open Channel established an Internet
Web Site.This site is currently being replaced by a
much more complex site which will be available as
resource to local community groups.