There are only a few media outlets that enable free speech completely, and Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN) is one of them. Established on West 59th Street, with another facility on 104th Street, MNN is Manhattan's free public-access cable network, airing over 13, 000 hours a year of original content, covering topics ranging from art to cooking, fitness and religion. Director of Communications and Marketing, Linda Romano, explained to me how, since 1992, MNN has offered Manhattan residents access to video production training and equipment, as well as broadcasting hours. As the city's largest media education facility, MNN has approximately 1, 600 annual enrollments in classes where multiple topics are taught including field camera use, studio production and digital editing. Classes are offered at both locations, and classes in Spanish are available at the MNN El Barrio Firehouse Community Center. Once people have completed the courses, they are then certified and invited to utilize MNN's studios, HD cameras and air their programming free of charge. Linda reiterates, "MNN is a true champion of localism. We offer a powerful tool for talking and promoting ideas or stories that may not receive coverage on mainstream media outlets. " From what I ascertained, anything is possible for the motivated student at MNN, no matter their age or abilities.
