Fairfax County's Channel 16 Named Best Government Cable TV Station

Fairfax County, Virginia, winner of numerous technology awards -- including top place in the Digital Counties Survey -- has won again. The county's Government Channel 16 has been named the best government access cable television station in the nation by the Alliance for Community Media. It is the third time the county has won the award in the Overall Excellence of Governmental Access category, with previous awards given in 1996 and 1999.

The award covers the entire spectrum of Channel 16 programming, including government meetings, public service announcements and informational programs about government services. More than 1,500 entries were submitted in the contest this year from the United States and Canada.

The county also was an award finalist in the documentary event category for "Fairfax Prepares," which profiles a mass immunization drill staged at George Mason High School in October 2004.

Channel 16 delivers more than 850 hours of programming per year including Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals meetings. News-to-use features are offered through award-winning shows like "County Magazine," "Your Community, Your Call" and "Information Avenue."

Channel 16 is available in Fairfax County on the Cox Communications cable system and in Reston on Comcast Cable system, and on the Internet.