We're on our way to a 1,000 signatures for Vidwest's community-wide petition. Why 1,000 signatures? Because that is the number of city voters who can swing a council ward election race in Columbia.  

For some reason the City continues to defend cutting community media funding by referring to the legacy cable channel while conveniently overlooking Vidwest's media center with over 240 active members.

Here's an example quote from the City's spokesperson explaining funding cuts: 

"There has been discussion for several years about the use of our public access channel. Reports submitted to the City show that in the span of a year, the channel broadcast first runs of original content in only one month out of the year in 2025....[T]he City Manager requested that every department make cuts from their FY26 budget due to limited revenue and increasing expenditures. This meant departments had to make difficult decisions about which contracts and projects could not move forward...a decision needed to be made on what could be funded through this revenue source and what had to be cut."

Vidwest leaders are actively dialoguing with the City to correct their mis-assumptions about where the value lies in community media (hint, it's not the 23 year old cable channel).

A significant part of the dialogue is YOUR VOICE. Vidwest's outreach team asked the community to help us reach the milestone of 300 signatures by the end of the year. Here we are - 8 days early - and you've crushed it! 

Please keep up the good work. Vidwest has more than 240 members. If every member is able to get 4 signatures, we'll achieve our goal by next Spring.

Meanwhile, here's a breakdown of where petition engagement is coming from so you can plan your best move. 

Happy Holidays 🎄🎄🎄