PBS, once called too 'liberal,' fights conservative label

[Blackaxe]

Could PBS, the network of Bill Moyers, Big Bird and a thousand Peter, Paul and Mary fundraising concerts, really be turning into a secret cabal of right-wing fanatics?

Simmering criticism of the network boiled over Thursday as North American TV critics gathered for an annual press conference in Los Angeles to preview the fall television season.

What was supposed to be an hourlong press conference on PBS' fall lineup turned into a sharp and sometimes gloomy encounter as critics alternately peppered network President Pat Mitchell with questions about PBS' grim economic prospects and, with the hiring of conservative talk show host Tucker Carlson, its supposed cave-in to right-wing forces in Washington.

"I suppose that we're being accused on the one side of being too liberal and on the other of being too conservative probably means we're getting it mostly right," Mitchell said.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/entertainment/television/9121895.htm?1c

[Southsideirish]

1. I hate that phrase that media wimps use about " I guess we got it

right if the right hates us and the left hates us blah blah blah..." Stuff it up your rear!

[Dr Fate]

12. Here is another BS line reporters always say:

If you ask a media person- "Why did the media ignore all the lies in Powell's speech?" or what ever-

they will say: "Ah ha! The fact that you know about that means we DID report it!"

Uh, no, the fact is that I did 6 hours of research, thank you very much. That was YOUR job.

[ronabop]

23. We deliver half truth...

and half blatant right wing lies and propaganda!

PBS is becoming fair and balanced, just like FOX!

Ugh.

-Bop

[Tina H]

27. What do you think PBS's political bias should be?

Liberal?

Progressive?

Left wing?

all of the above?

Since I may get flamed for asking this reasonable question, let me say 3 things:

1. MY UNRESOLVED ISSUE: I don't know how I would answer the question I posed above. I am undecided at this point. Having a firmer, defensible position on the above question would help me when I talk to family & friends.

2. MY TENTATIVE SOLUTION: My highly tentative opinion is that there should be no political commentary at all on PBS. News reporting, fine. Commentary no. However, this tenative opinion troubles me because I have enjoyed the political commentary on PBS, especially commentators like Moyers and Clift (and even Buchanan back when he was criticizing the prospective Iraq War rather trenchantly circa Jan - Mar 2003). I would miss the PBS commentary if it disappeared. The commentary "consumer" in me doesn't want this commentary to go away. However, because PBS is tax funded, it seems like its commentary will tend to be biased in favor of whoever is in power. I don't see any practical way to separate PBS's level of objectivity or balance from the opinions of the folks who happen to be holding the purse strings (primarily Congress) at any given time. Any suggestions for a solution that would address this problem and still keep commentary on PBS?

3. THE PBS GUY'S SOLUTION: The PBS guy seems to think that having both some left-oriented and some right-oriented commentary solves the problem. Your reply disagrees. I'm with you on this. I don't agree with him either. However, the suggestion regarding the guy's rear seems more like an evasion than a solution to me.

There! Cards all out on the table for anyone who might have suspected ulterior motives toward the beginning of this reply.

[sendero]

30. PBS can do what it wants...

.... but not with my money. I was paying for there to be ONE FUCKING LIBERAL OUTLET on television (and on radio). Now that is gone, and I'm not paying any more. Not a cent. And IMHO, nobody on this board should be wasting their money on more winger propaganda.

[Tina H]

31. Oh, you are still paying and will continue to pay

(assuming you pay US taxes). You are just cutting out the discretionary portion of your payments.

[sendero]

33. Point taken...

... but it's my understanding that the gov't portion of their funding has fallen below viewer contributions and corporate sponsorship dollars.

[Tina H]

37. the game . . .

I think the game is that Repukes want individuals to stop contributing so that either: (1) PBS goes away; or (2) corporate sponsorship dollars pick up the slack you leave. I doubt it matters to them which happens (1) or (2).

Neither option seems really attractive to me.

(Not criticizing people who stop contributing. I have always contributed to college radio stations instead of PBS because: (1) these stations are co-opted by corporate interests to a smaller degree than PBS; and (2) they say they need the money.)

[Pepperbelly]

34. this is my position on that ...

In the media, in order to be "fair", they present both sides of the issue. At first blush, this may seem fair but an examination of the implications reveals otherwise. If they report on a situation ... for example, Bush's 2K "economic positions ... and report that this side says this while the other side says that, they are acting under the assumption that both sides have equal validity to their positions when in this instance, it truly was not so. Bush twisted the numbers, distorted on good days, outright lied on others and all about things that could be tested with a calculator.

Their bias should be toward what is true, not what is balanced.

[Tina H]

36. You raise an interesting point

News reporting on PBS is fine by me, and it sounds like you are describing news reporting.

However, I am getting at commentary. By its very nature, commentary expresses opinion primarily, and is not to be regarded as a primary source of factual reporting.

A clear separation between news and commentary on PBS is a good thing so that the news reporting doesn't get too politicized. In fact, it might be a good idea if they made this separation clearer and more manifest on PBS.

However, this still leaves the problem of what to do about objectivity and balance in the commentary area. I don't think that taking opinions out of the commentary would help because then the commentary portion wouldn't be commentary any more.

[jdj]

2. Tucker Carlson was a disgraceful choice.

He got the job because of his dad.

His hiring was irrefutable proof that PBS has gone over to the dark side.

I have noticed the over-abundance of fundies on their "reality" shows, as well. Pioneer Quest and Frontier House were both diappointingly Jesusy. It's creeping in slowly, on just about every program they broadcast that isn't a repeat. The Chrislamic fundimullahs are trying to suck the all culture and sophistication out of America, one slurp at a time.

[JitterbugPerfume]

3. I have given the last dime

I will ever give to PBS. I am disgusted with them

[senseandsensibility]

4. Who's his Dad?

Just curious. I can't stand that guy. And I will no longer volunteer or contribute to PBS.

[keta11]

10. I have forgotten his

Dad's first name but he is used to be the head of Voice of America at one time.

[wurzel]

32. Another rugged republican who made it on his own!

They are all the same aren't they? Daddy's little boys.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

19. "Jesusy."

That's quite a word!

[otohara]

21. It's A Terrible Show - UGH

I watched once - never again

[wurzel]

28. Who is Carlson's dad?

[kodi]

5. Mitchell is a corporatist cloaked with the perfume of faux high culture

PBS is infected with mediocrity. there is scantly a place for anything that rocks the big boats of the corporate donors. increasingly, the broadcast system acts as a propaganda arm to support the status quo.

"Gingrich gangrene" set in at pbs as a result of the attacks by him and other conservatives in congress in the late 80's-90's.

[The Zanti Regent]

6. Not one nickel to the REpublican Broadcasting Service!

PBS has been a right wing shrill ever since Reagan was elected in 1980. KCET is one of the worst offenders, it's all right wing. That's why I have refused to give a penny to those GOP whores since the mid 80s.

If you want the documentation of the Right WIng control of PBS see http://www.fair.org/

[wurzel]

7. Started when Gingrich threatened PBS funding.

They have lost so much credibility it is pitiful. Just look at Washington "Weak" in Review. If you have a strong stomach for pap. I can remember when they had Wicker and Frankel.

[Gyre]

35. I totally agree

That is exactly when NPR and PBS began to soften their reporting on conservative causes and criticism of Israel. It's not direct, but pretty decent circumstantial evidence. It's why I don't contribute to them anymore.

Gyre

[jayavarman]

8. Never thought of PBS as 'right wing'

Antiques Roadshow? Frontline? Nova?

I just don't see it.

Is NPR right wing now too?

[stevedeshazer]

11. Not every show

Those shows are great.

Talking about the news wing here, which more likely applies to NPR rather than PBS. As far as TV goes, the Lehrer News Hour has drifted rightward ever since MacNeil left. They still have Washington Week, a moderate show, and Bill Moyer's NOW, which would normally be called leftist, but I call it the truth.

But Tucker Carlson? Yikes.

NPR news has drifted right since 1994, but to be fair so has the rest of the country. Until now. Thus, they are being left behind (no pun intended) by the rest of us. Just my two cents.

[The Zanti Regent]

13. Are you watching Gwen Ifill?

Please, she is Ann KKKolter's ideological twin!

PBS is ALL GOP propganda ALL the time!

[not systems]

14. She always name drops Condie Rice...

and really really hates F911.

[stevedeshazer]

16. She is a right-wing extremist.

No doubt about it.

[jayavarman]

25. You may have a point

I never watch any TV news, but I do love the shows . . . nowhere else to go to see so many documentaries!

[Prodemsouth]

20. Is NPR right wing now too? Ha HA HaHA.

F"ing Cheney Yes!. Where have you been living. I hope you were being sarcastic.

[not systems]

9. Free Speech TV, Air America, Link TV and Pacifica Network have...

filled the void on the left by created PBS and NPR's long
spiral in to neoconservative hell holes.

A few bright spots remain but they have lost me.

[mom cat]

15. Me too! No more National Pentagon Radio for me and with Bill

Moyers leaving PBS, I don't see much else that rings true.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

17. I see PBS as Centerist, not Right Wing though it is going in that....

direction. Now NPR is TOTALLY RIGHT WING!!! MY TAX DOLLARS SHOULD NOT BE PAYING FOR THIS CRAP AND NPR SHOULD BE DE-COMMISSIONED!

[Algomas]

18. PBS and NPR have become almost unbearable...

The amount of fluff they air and their use of right-wing pundits from the Heritage foundation and others is really heartbreaking. I remember the good old days of tuning in and being frequently rewarded with excellence. Anymore, it just seems like propaganda and lies. My financial support for them dried up quite some time ago.
Isn't it amazing how gutless the media has become?

[shanti]

22. I KNEW IT!!!!!!!

and have been posting about the rightward leaning of pbs for several years now. the topics have increasingly been "bible oriented", christian, "family" stuff, nothing controversial like it used to be. pbs used to be good, but i seldom watch it anymore.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

24. I still like the Newshour.

I think thats the last bastion of fairly objective news left. They do try to bring in balance on their panel and round table discussions.

No, it is not left wing the way some would like, but it is balanced and not Fox-news either. Washington Week in Review is also a good talkshow from the mainstream print media journo perspective....although I was suprised at Gloria Borgers right wing spin last night (she was sitting in for Gwen Eifel).

I don't listen to NPR enough to make a judgement on them.

[Colin Ex]

26. I, for one, welcome our new Bizarro-Masters. nt

[xchrom]

29. pbs = gop infotainment

[abelenkpe]

38. didn't PBS become involved with one of the corporate

media giants a few years ago? For some reason I think it was AOL/Time Warner but I could be mistaken. I do remember them having problems with funding.

Some interesting quotes form their own site PBS.org found under 'about PBS':

"As a result of their relationship with PBS, our sponsors are rewarded through both their opportunity to support award-winning programming that engages and inspires, and their ability to extend their corporate messaging and build loyalty amongst millions of PBS members and viewers.

If you are a corporation, brand, or agency interested in sponsorship or underwriting information, please email Ellen Flahive or call 703/739-5000. "



"Public TV Funding

* Public TV's total national, regional and local revenue in FY00 totaled $1.6 billion, according to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Leading sources of revenue: members (23.5%); state governments (18.3%); CPB and federal grants/contracts (16.4%); businesses (16.1%); state colleges and universities (6.5%); and foundations (5.5%).

* 4.5 million individuals and families contributed $380 million to public TV in FY00.

PBS Budget

* PBS' operating revenue has grown from $262 million in FY98 to a projected $324 million in FY03, a 24% increase in just five years, largely from non-member revenue sources.

* This revenue growth has enabled PBS to invest more in three key areas: national programming, advertising and promotion, and PBS.org."



With all the additional corporate and business interests it is no surprise that PBS has moved to the right.

Personally, I wrote off PBS a few years ago when the animation union picketed PBS for outsourcing the animation for it's television shows. At the time many animators were losing their jobs and were upset that their taxpayer dollars were being used to put them out of work.

[abelenkpe]

39. PBS partners

(according to their site)

The Association of America's Public Television Stations (APTS)
Established in 1980, APTS is a nonprofit membership organization whose mission is to support the continued growth and development of a strong and financially sound noncommercial television service for the American public.

The Annenberg/CPB Project
Since 1981 the Annenberg/CPB Project has supported programs that use telecommunications to improve the quality and accessibility of higher education. The project has given $90 million to create more than 50 college-level video and audio courses and 25 demonstration projects that use computer and information technologies to make education more accessible for all students.

Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB)
Authorized by the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, CPB is a private, nonprofit corporation that oversees the growth of quality, taxpayer-supported public television and radio in the United States. CPB receives funding from the federal government, disperses it for the production of public radio and television programs, and distributes direct grants for the operations of public radio and television stations.

Current
Published since 1982, Current is the biweekly newspaper for and about public broadcasting, read by people involved in public TV and public radio. The most widely read periodical in the field, Current is as an editorially independent journalistic service of the Current Publishing Committee, administered by WNET, New York City.

National Educational Telecommunications Association
Created in 1997, NETA was formed when SECA and the members of the former PMN joined forces to create a national public television association.

National Public Broadcasting Archives (NPBA)
The NPBA brings together the archival record of the major entities of non-commercial broadcasting in the United States, including the archives of CPB, PBS, National Public Radio (NPR), APTS, the Children's Television Workshop (CTW), and the Joint Council for Educational Telecommunications (JCET). NPBA's reference library contains basic studies of the broadcasting industry, rare pamphlets and journals on relevant topics, and clippings from the PBS press clipping service.

National Public Radio (NPR)
Founded in 1970, NPR is a nonprofit membership organization that is the leading producer of public radio programming in the United States. NPR has 490 member public radio stations nationwide, and operates a national satellite program distribution system, with regional uplinks for public radio stations and other producers.

Public Radio International (PRI)
An independent, private, nonprofit program distribution company, PRl (formerly American Public Radio) services 486 affiliates around the globe, and offers such popular programs as "A Prairie Home Companion" and "Marketplace." Most PRI affiliates are NPR member stations.

SERC
SERC is a non-profit consortium of state departments of education, educational television networks, schools and parent-teacher groups devoted to providing extraordinary resources that engage the mind and inspire the imagination. Through an ever-growing network of partnerships SERC delivers these resources to kindergarten through twelfth grade as well as professional development for school staff and the community as a whole.


Also, definitely check out www.fair.org as suggested above. It is an eye opener.