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KNME Untroubled by the Hobgoblin of consistency

CSC writer in residence, Jonathan Witt had an op-ed published in the Albuquerque Journal Sunday commenting on PBS affiliate KNME’s censorship troubles.

The thing that Witt’s op-ed nicely brings to light is the double standard about funding and editorial control that exists at PBS from the top down.

He gives specific examples suggesting that KNME normally follows a very different (and much more sane) test for private funders, one that allows foundations who fund documentaries to have points of view and even worldviews. KNME proclaims that they must not let public get the “perception” that funders of a program “might” have had control over the content.

“Indeed, no PBS affiliate consistently follows the smell test laid out by KNME. If only programs with “objective” funding sources were allowed, what would PBS have left to air‚ — cooking shows?”

UMOL producers, Illustra Media, repeatedly assured the station management that NO funder of the documentary had ANY say over the content. Witt points out several other popular PBS programs that have aired on KNME, and most PBS stations across the country, despite the funders proclaiming overtly religious agendas.

Of course never mind the PBS series Evolution that was funded by the same man who owns the company that produced it, as covered by writer Josh Gilder back in 2002.

Robert Crowther, II

Robert Crowther holds a BA in Journalism with an emphasis in public affairs and 20 years experience as a journalist, publisher, and brand marketing and media relations specialist. From 1994-2000 he was the Director of Public and Media Relations for Discovery Institute overseeing most aspects of communications for each of the Institute's major programs. In addition to handling public and media relations he managed the Institute's first three books to press, Justice Matters by Roberta Katz, Speaking of George Gilder edited by Frank Gregorsky, and The End of Money by Richard Rahn.

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