Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Join editors from the Aspen Times and Aspen Daily News, Grassroots TV's executive director, and the publisher of La Misión for a candid 2003 panel discussion on freedom of speech in a small mountain town. Discover how local media provides real access through letters to the editor, community TV, and story pitches—while exploring self-censorship, good taste vs. libel, media literacy, psychological barriers to speaking out, Hispanic community participation, irreverence toward authority, and the balance between reflecting vs. leading the community.
Expect thoughtful insights on open forums, the "hip check" of public debate, part-time residents' influence, and building a vibrant local democracy in Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley. Timeless wisdom for anyone passionate about free expression, local journalism, and community media today.
Perfect for viewers interested in First Amendment rights, independent media, letters to the editor, and small-town civic life.
Know Aspen. Watch GrassRoots.
GrassRoots programming is made possible by the producers' creativity itself, direct contributions from viewers, members of the Roaring Fork Valley community, and through grants from the Pitkin County Healthy Community Fund, The Town of Snowmass Village, the City of Aspen Community Non-Profit Grant Program, and The Aspen Thrift Shop.
Founded by citizens of Aspen, Colorado in 1972, GrassRoots TV is the first and oldest community operated and programmed open-source media center and television station in the United States. Virtually all of the programming is created by local residents, occasionally with world renown guests.
In partnership with the American Archive of Public Media and the Library of Congress, GrassRoots is currently cataloguing, restoring and digitally archiving 700 of the most at-risk original video programs out of its 45,000 title Community Video Archive.
Help sustain this community treasure by donating now! Go to:
bit.ly/GRTVContribute
Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE, HIT LIKE and leave a COMMENT to let us know if you enjoyed this video, it is important to us and the community for you to become part of the conversation. Thanks for tuning in!
Download the GrassRoots Community Network iOS and Android apps
Subscribe for more videos: bit.ly/2Ycpi4P
Facebook: facebook.com/GrassRootsCommunityNetwork
Twitter: twitter.com/grassrootstv
Web: grassrootstv.org
Join editors from the Aspen Times and Aspen Daily News, Grassroots TV's executive director, and the publisher of La Misión for a candid 2003 panel discussion on freedom of speech in a small mountain town. Discover how local media provides real access through letters to the editor, community TV, and story pitches—while exploring self-censorship, good taste vs. libel, media literacy, psychological barriers to speaking out, Hispanic community participation, irreverence toward authority, and the balance between reflecting vs. leading the community.
Expect thoughtful insights on open forums, the "hip check" of public debate, part-time residents' influence, and building a vibrant local democracy in Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley. Timeless wisdom for anyone passionate about free expression, local journalism, and community media today.
Perfect for viewers interested in First Amendment rights, independent media, letters to the editor, and small-town civic life.
Know Aspen. Watch GrassRoots.
GrassRoots programming is made possible by the producers' creativity itself, direct contributions from viewers, members of the Roaring Fork Valley community, and through grants from the Pitkin County Healthy Community Fund, The Town of Snowmass Village, the City of Aspen Community Non-Profit Grant Program, and The Aspen Thrift Shop.
Founded by citizens of Aspen, Colorado in 1972, GrassRoots TV is the first and oldest community operated and programmed open-source media center and television station in the United States. Virtually all of the programming is created by local residents, occasionally with world renown guests.
In partnership with the American Archive of Public Media and the Library of Congress, GrassRoots is currently cataloguing, restoring and digitally archiving 700 of the most at-risk original video programs out of its 45,000 title Community Video Archive.
Help sustain this community treasure by donating now! Go to:
bit.ly/GRTVContribute
Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE, HIT LIKE and leave a COMMENT to let us know if you enjoyed this video, it is important to us and the community for you to become part of the conversation. Thanks for tuning in!
Download the GrassRoots Community Network iOS and Android apps
Subscribe for more videos: bit.ly/2Ycpi4P
Facebook: facebook.com/GrassRootsCommunityNetwork
Twitter: twitter.com/grassrootstv
Web: grassrootstv.org
