The only restriction is that there be no commerce involved. I adore public access. It's civics in action. Sometimes I can't bear to watch, but I love it. I thought it had a fighting chance to do some good with a positive message.
Producers feel strongly, for the most part, about their topics.
They love the bands they showcase, they expose political and religious views with a vengeance, they entertain you with a Gilbert Gottfried-like persistence, they tread the line of pornography just to see how far they can go. They have to feel strongly because it takes a large commitment to produce a show. My friend Pete asked me to help review videos for a national public access award competition. They were 30-60 seconds long, created at public access facilities, and were supposed to take advantage of a forum which supports viewpoints that don't have the chance to get aired on mainstream commercial television. I was eager to see what kinds of programs fresh teenaged minds and ideals would hit us with.