Policy & Agreement

Membership Terms & Conditions as of January 2024

I. PREAMBLE

1. These Rules and Regulations outline the rights and responsibilities of Central New Jersey Network (CNJN) and its clients for using CNJN facilities and services.

    

2. These Rules and Regulations have been developed and approved by the Board of Central New Jersey Network, the governing body which oversees CNJN. The Board of Central New Jersey Network reserves the right to repeal, revise, or amend these Policies and Procedures.

    

3. Any violation of these Rules and Regulations may, at the discretion of CNJN, result in withholding the use of its equipment, services and facilities from the violator.

    

4. All users of CNJN equipment, facilities and services should be aware that they may be held accountable for their actions by the same laws that govern any public activity.

    

5. Any violation of a CNJN policies may result in the patron’s loss of right to use the equipment or facilities in accordance with these Rules and Regulations and will be reported to the Board of Central New Jersey Network for appropriate action.

II. APPLICATIONS

1. A member in good standing will be defined as any resident or associate applying for use of CNJN distribution services.

    

2. Distribution services will be provided in good faith as long as a CNJN member remains in good standing, including the fulfillment of any required member dues.

    

3. Any individual or non-profit group may use CNJN’s television channel and its facilities according to these rules. Access to the channel or facilities will be on a first-come, first-served, and non-discriminatory basis.

    

4. CNJN may withhold extraneous services that go beyond television broadcast to any customer in accordance with our content guidelines. Membership services must be approved by Programming and Marketing committees.

    

5. If the member is less than 18 years of age they must have an adult co-sign the application form and agreement. The co-signer is then financially responsible, along with the applicant, for any damage or loss connected with the use of CNJN equipment and/or facilities other than normal wear and tear.
   

III. MEMBER RESPONSIBILITY

Conditions

1. Members assume full responsibility for damage or loss connected with the use of CNJN equipment and/or facilities other than normal wear and tear.
   
   
2. If the use of music or other copyrighted material is involved, the applicant must ascertain that the appropriate copyright clearances have been obtained.
   
   
3. CNJN reserves the right to refuse the use of any of its equipment and facilities to users found in violation of these rules. CNJN also reserves the right to temporarily refuse the use of any of its equipment and/or facilities to any person under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or otherwise not under full control of his/her senses. Making false or misleading statements in the application will be grounds for forfeiture of the privilege to use the access channel, equipment, and facilities.
   
   
4. CNJN may refuse to lend equipment to anyone who has, in the experience of the community access staff, misused the equipment, failed to return it on time, or in any other way abused the privileges of membership, or whose membership has expired.
   
   
5. CNJN is a private, non-profit corporation. Members are not agents or employees of CNJN. They are considered to be independent producers and create programming for themselves or the organization they represent. At no time may any individual or organization identify themselves as an employee or agent of CNJN or any of the funding jurisdictions unless hired by CNJN or the jurisdictions to perform a service.
   
   
6. Studio Coupon Guidelines: Studio coupons are exclusively available to tier 3 members or those specifically issued by CNJN Admins. By using these coupons, you agree not to share codes, utilize others’ codes, or attempt to circumvent password protections.
   
   
7. Users must assume all liability for program content and agree to indemnify CNJN for any injury due to program content. The following rules govern the content of all community access programming.
   
   
8. Members will abide by our Rental Policy agreement while on CNJN premises – see https://cnjn.org/rent-a-studio/rental-policy/
   
   
9. Series Episode Limit Policy: For Tier 3 Members with personalized playlists on CNJN’s streaming services, a maximum of 20 episodes is permitted in their playlist. Any new episodes submitted beyond this limit will automatically replace existing episodes, starting with the oldest entry. This policy is in effect to ensure optimal content curation and maintain playlist coherence.
   
   
10. Social Media Promotion: Upon the airing of a new episode, notifications will be shared on our Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter channels. Social posts done for members are, by default, based on the submitted episode description and thumbnail. Members may special request text alterations or submit personalized images to accompany their social post. Social media images and descriptions must not contain any promotional content for organizations or private businesses, including phrases such as “Produced by [company]” or “Sponsored by [company].”
    
    
11. All CNJN Members, broadcasters, and media contributors are bound by policy not to incorporate ‘sponsored by’ messages without explicit authorization from CNJN through sponsorship packages or special permission from management. This safeguards the integrity of our content and partnerships.
    
    
12. Archival Duration: Episodes are preserved indefinitely on Archive.org. CNJN reserves the right to discard non-member content older than 2 years.
    
    
13. Disclaimer Graphic: Prior to each TV broadcast, a disclaimer graphic is displayed. By broadcasting with CNJN, you consent to the display of a brief on-screen graphic stating that the aired content is free speech and has not been fact-checked or moderated.
    
    
14. Editing Guidelines: Editing turnaround time is two weeks with one revision allowed. Editing is facilitated by community volunteers and educational opportunities provided by CNJN. Advanced editing requests may be subject to limitations based on volunteer capabilities.
    
    
15. Members give CNJN the right to use their materials in promotional material.
    
    
16. Time-related content may be taken off the air after two (2) weeks have passed, making the content no longer relevant.
    Content is classified as time-related if its primary purpose is to inform the community about an upcoming event or occurrence that is not widely known. While content related to significant national events are acceptable, smaller events may not meet the criteria for inclusion. Please consider the scale and importance of the event when submitting content.
    
    
17. Any content that is aired for over 4 weeks may be taken down at CNJN staff’s discretion to avoid repetitive programming.
    
    
18. Media Submission: Show submissions must be made through user accounts. We reserve the right to decline media not submitted via our user account system (see details below).

Media Submission Guidelines

1. Quality Standards for Submitted Material: Material of unacceptably poor technical quality may be excluded from broadcast.

    

2. Description Guidelines: Please adhere to TV standards by refraining from using explicit language, maintaining good spelling and grammar, and upholding a professional tone in television broadcasts.

    

3. Thumbnail Quality: Ensure your thumbnail is of high quality, with dimensions set to 1920 x 1080 pixels.

    

4. Media submissions must adhere to CNJN’s guidelines, barring unauthorized ‘sponsored by’ messages.
   
   
5. Video Length Limitation: Videos exceeding precisely 30 minutes will be rejected by our systems, unless special permission has been granted by a CNJN Admin.

    

6. File Format: Submit files in either MP4 or Mov format.

    

7. File Naming Standards: Ensure your file name has no special characters such as @%#%&. Follow our naming convention, as shown here: https://videoplayer.telvue.com/player/c0ZsWOTaCoVvqX5aHFGJ0jipWOGw-9LS/home
   
   
8. Content Upload Timeframe: Members will allocate at least 24 hours for the media submission process. Content submitted on the same day or after the stipulated time frame might not be accepted. To secure your scheduled spot, please ensure you have a minimum of 24 hours before your show is set to air.
   

IV. CNJN RESPONSIBILITY 

1. CNJN will provide the use of production equipment and post-production facilities on a first-come, first-served, non-discriminatory basis to its members.
2. CNJN will provide qualified personnel if available, to offer technical and programming assistance to members.
3. CNJN will not edit, or alter in any way, the content of user material without the permission of the user. CNJN reserves the right to refuse to broadcast programs that are inflammatory, sexually explicit or are in violation of FCC regulations. CNJN reserves the right to refuse distribution services to programs that are in violation of the conditions and guidelines herein.

V. PROHIBITED CONTENT

1. Political Programming that endorses declared political candidates or discusses ballot issues directly associated with an ongoing campaign is subject to consideration. Programs featuring appearances by incumbents acting in their current elected or professional capacity are excluded from this definition. Non-partisan content, showcasing candidates or party members from both sides with equitable airtime, is permissible.
2. Lotteries / Contests: Lotteries or contests that involve directly or indirectly the elements of a prize, chance, and/or consideration.
3. Illegal Material: Material which would subject the producer or supplier to civil or criminal prosecution under any applicable local, state, or federal law for production or presentation of obscene or erotic material, slander or libel, invasion of privacy.
4. Licensed Material: Material that is copyrighted or subject to ownership or royalty rights, union residuals, or other payment (e.g. music, written works, photographs, film, video) unless producer has obtained all necessary permission, releases, licenses and made all necessary payments to authorize televising of any such material. CNJN may require producers to provide evidence of such payment or permission.
5. Advertising / Commercial Endorsements: Advertising or other material that is designed to promote commercial businesses, the sale of commercial products, or purchase of professional or commercial
6. Services: This includes but is not limited to, product or business endorsements and/or service descriptions. For example: A program guest may be identified as “John Doe – Owner ABC Business Supplies” but not “John Doe, owner ABC Business Supplies, the best selection and the lowest prices in town.” To advise viewers how to get more information about program topics, program credits can include a contact name, phone number, web site or e-mail address.
7. Unauthorized Fundraising: Solicitation of funds by organizations other than those that have been granted 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service.

Member Submitted / Produced Material shall not contain:

A. Obscene, lewd, illegal, or indecent matter.

B. Advertising material designed to promote the sale of commercial products or services. This includes advertisement by or on behalf of officially announced candidates for public office.

C. The direct solicitation of funds for any and all purposes.

D. Unauthorized sponsorship messages.

E. Material requiring union residual, or other payment including but not limited to talent and crew, unless those payments have been paid or waived.

F. Material which constitutes libel, slander, invasion of privacy, or publicity rights, unfair competition, violation of trademark or copyright, or which might violate any local, state, or federal law.

G. Unauthorized copyright materials requiring appropriate rights from broadcast stations, networks, sponsors, music licensing organizations, performers, representatives, copyright holders and any other persons as may be necessary for cablecast unless the community producer presents written authorization for the use of such materials.

VI. DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

It is hoped that disputes over policy interpretation can be resolved by a good faith effort to reasonably discuss the problem to arrive at an acceptable solution for everyone involved. When this is not acceptable or practical, a user may file a written grievance with CNJN Administrators. Admins will review the grievance and attempt to mediate a solution. If a mutually acceptable solution cannot be reached, CNJN’s Admins will make a determination.

If an individual wishes to file an appeal to a staff decision they should submit a Request for Appeal of Decision within 30 days of the staff decision. Admins will notify CNJN’s Board of Directors and set a meeting date within 30 days of the receipt of the request. Decisions of the Board of Directors are the final determination regarding the issue. Grievances relating to CNJN staff conduct should be addressed to CNJN Admins. Grievances relating to the conduct of CNJN Admins should be addressed to the Chair of the CNJN Board of Directors.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who owns the copyright?
   Content Producers own the copyright of their work. CNJN reserves the right to broadcast, distribute and alter any media submitted by members. Content Producers are free to distribute their work in any manner they choose.
2. What is commercial programming?
   Representatives of for-profit enterprises are welcome to appear on the channel in order to discuss or demonstrate aspects of a profession or business. For example, an author may discuss and show her book and may mention where it’s available. Programs that include representatives of for-profit enterprises may contain, in a limited manner, service descriptions, photographs or video, Web addresses, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers if such information is related to program content. CNJN will apply a good faith, reasonable interpretation to questions of commercial content and expects producers to respond with a commensurate degree of caution and care.