[misc.handicap] CNN Closed Captioning

Ann.Stalnaker@p0.f14.n385.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Stalnaker) (03/28/91)

Index Number: 14540

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

George, your message hit the bit bucket before I could reply to
it - so hope I am not forgetting anything.

If I recall correctly, I believe you were asking about CNN
captioning their news coverage as well as something about you
didn't think it was captioned in your area.  If I may point
out - CNN is only captioning their news from 8 PM to 9 PM (EST).
It is my understanding that this is a trial basis and perhaps
if they know how much we appreciate this service, they might
consider captioning more as time goes on.

The following is their address in case you might want to
write them:

                        CNN News
                        1 CNN Center
                        14th Floor, South Tower
                        Atlanta, GA  30303

--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!385!14.0!Ann.Stalnaker
Internet: Ann.Stalnaker@p0.f14.n385.z1.fidonet.org

kjcole@well.sf.ca.us (Kevin Cole) (04/10/91)

Index Number: 14643

from:   apple!gallua.BITNET!11ACOHEN     "A.B.C."           23-JAN-1991 12:27
subj:   Write to CNN New's for CC!  (I did my best, need your HELP!)
    
    Let me explain what had happened to me when I tried to make some calls
    to CNN to ask for their explaination for not caption their news.
    
    I called CNN's Washington branch to inquire about lack of close
    captioning of their Gulf War coverage.  They said, "We don't close
    caption our shows and please call to the Headquarters in Atlanta."
    
    Then, I called CNN's Headquarters in Atlanta, GA via TEDI relay
    operator and I got several harsh remarks.  I got hung up three times
    and then asked for Public Relations Department.  All I got was "We
    don't close caption our shows because it deemed to be unneccesary". 
    Boy, TEDI and I were fumed!  Then, I thought of calling NCI....
    
    After contacting NCI (National Captioning Institute) in Falls Church,
    VA and asked about why CNN doesn't caption their shows.  The NCI
    explained that they did OFFER the service, but CNN declined and said it
    was not neccessary to caption their news.  I pleaded NCI to give me the
    letter of this situation.  The NCI refused and said it was a very
    sensitive topic and don't want to be involved by giving me the
    information.   I was dumped.
    
    Then, I decided to call Washington Post, after they made so many
    articles about CNN's glamourous coverage on Gulf War and its reporters. 
    I thought of calling Howard Kurtz, the writer who wrote "On the Line"
    articles about CNN in Style sections.  Guess what?
    
    An assistant of Howard Kurtz hung up on me two times, then with my
    persistence and fuming Russian temper of mine, I told TEDI to not let
    them to hang up on me before I have something to say....
    
    Then I explained the CNN's irony... 
    
    CNN has an accessibility to obtain Gulf War's coverage and able to
    share with the public.  Yet, not as accessible for millions of
    hearing-impaired television viewers all over in nation.
    
    Then, the assistant of Washington Post's staff writer Howard Kurtz,
    told me that this message will be passed along to Mr. Kurtz.  That's
    it.
    
    I rammed the assistant by asking if this information will be published
    in Washington Post.  The assistant said this could not be guaranteed to
    be published.  She REFERRED me to Editorial department.
    
    I feel like I was going nowhere... I have made more than 10 different
    attempts to make myself heard.  I realize that a little person like me
    are definitely OPPRESSED and NEGLECTED.
    
    Now, I am tired... if you guys feel that CNN should be close captioned.
    
    Then... don't talk now... ACT now!  Write the letters to CNN...
    
    Write the editorial letters to Washington Post.  
    Bugging Howard Kurtz of Washington Post to make sure he writes an
    article of CNN's irony for not making it as accessible for the deaf and
    hard of hearing television viewers.
    
    Please I personally can't fight this alone... its not like a glamorous
    David and Goliath war... its a war of the Deaf Community civil rights
    against the large company... the CNN.
    
    If you all want this to happen... I want to see the action... I am more
    than willing to organize this only if I have lots of willing
    able-bodied die hard students like you.
    
    Thanks 
    ABC
-- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Kevin Cole     <Flatline>      |   Bitnet:        CADS_COLE@GALLUA.BITNET
  Gallaudet Research Institute   |   Internet:  KJCOLE@GALLUX.GALLAUDET.EDU
  Washingon, DC  20002           |   UUCP:  ...!psuvax!gallua.bitnet!kjcole

Ann.Stalnaker@p0.f14.n385.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Stalnaker) (05/03/91)

Index Number: 15330

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

Kevin - we had a discussion about writing CNN a while back.  I
can't speak for the others, but I wrote CNN about captioning
their news coverage during Operation Desert Shield/Storm/Calm.
I received a phone call on the night they were captioning their
first news coverage which was from 7PM to 8PM (CST) and was
told it would be on a trial basis.  I felt they wanted input
from the HI individuals as to whether to continue - however -
I think enough of us bombarded Ted Turner and CNN with letters
to warrant the start of this.  Like all good things, it takes
a little time to get the ball rolling - just like it did with
the BIG 3 networks back in the early 80's when closed captioning
first started.

I feel at this time we should show our appreciation to CNN/Ted
Turner for making this available to us.  I am on cable and pick
up over 40 channels which include TNT and WTBS which are owned
by Turner Broadcasting Network, and have noticed that both
of those networks are captioning many of their movies, especially
the classics and the made-for-cable ones.  So, some progess
is being made and I look for more captioning services to be
provided in the near future.

--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!385!14.0!Ann.Stalnaker
Internet: Ann.Stalnaker@p0.f14.n385.z1.fidonet.org