The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) appears to be readying a new attempt to censor independent media through its "objectivity and balance" initiative.
The "objectivity and balance" initiative is described here: http://www.cpb.org/about/objbal.html Additional information and discussion regarding this initiative is available in the appended message (see below). The CPB has requested public comment on this issue. People who are concerned about this initiative should post their comments at the CPB's Web site. The correct URL for posting comments on the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's new "objectivity and balance" initiative is: http://www.cpb.org/talktous/ Comments can also be submitted by e-mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This is a sample comment for posting at the above page: --- Subject: Don't Use "Balance" to Censor Public Media Comment: Your new initiative regarding "balanced reporting" is nothing more or less than censorship. In particular, any focus by the CPB upon the content of individual programs threatens the integrity of our media. We already have public libel laws to deal with media reporting that harms individuals. We do not need a new set of external constraints on reporting that are only (read, "selectively") applied to the public media that receive CPB grant assistance. --- To get an idea of where they are going with this, consider the following quote from the CPB's "Objectivity and Balance" page: "We define 'press' broadly to include not only mainstream print and broadcast entities, but also the many issue-oriented Web sites that closely follow news coverage and analysis. During the last year, a number of issues involving public broadcasting attracted attention in the press. NPR coverage of Israel sparked criticism, as well as organized protests in major cities. At PBS, Bill Moyers and his dual role as reporter and commentator provoked some unfavorable reaction, including particular attention from Fox host Bill O'Reilly. O'Reilly figured in another controversy when he walked out of an interview with NPR's Terry Gross; NPR's ombudsman, Jeffrey Dvorkin, later agreed with O'Reilly's charge that the interview was unfair. Finally, a number of news stories explored the issue of perceived bias or lack of objectivity, not only in public broadcasting but in the media as a whole. "Members of Congress also expressed opinions about public broadcasting's objectivity and balance. At two hearings during 2003 � one before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, and the other before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation � some members expressed discomfort with perceived bias in the presentation of news and public issues, including NPR's war coverage and NOW with Bill Moyers, while other valued the thought-provoking presentation of different points of views. CPB Board Chair Kenneth Y. Tomlinson also commented publicly on the need to ensure that public television offers balance in its public affairs programming. " Carl ------ To: Free KPFK <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, FreePacifica <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, KPFK Comments <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, New Pacifica <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, Our WPFW <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, WBAI Bylaws <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, WBAI Elections <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, KPFK iPC <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> From: Leslie Radford <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date sent: Mon, 09 May 2005 18:36:33 -0700 Subject: [freekpfk] All Listeners Needed: Save Pacifica's Mission from the CPB Send reply to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [ Double-click this line for list subscription options ] I'm sure everyone here is aware of the threat posed to the Pacifica mission by the CPB's revised view of objectivity and balance, that looks not only across the programming grid, but also at individual shows for its definition of balance. The CPB website (http://www.cpb.org/about/objbal.html) is asking for public feedback on its "Objectivity and Balance" campaign, and they're getting bold: the website cites Bill Moyers and Terry Gross as examples of unfair interviewers, and includes Bill O'Reilly as a put-upon interviewee. At the same time, they note that a majority of public broadcasting listeners (apparently 70%) find no problem with balance on the public airwaves. At the same time the CPB is soliciting public comment on "objectivity and balance," it is admittedly monitoring comments on websites and by public officials to determine/justify its agenda. Pacifica listeners need to be heard. Take a moment to express your support for alternative media and the mission's commitment to "promote the full distribution of public information; to obtain access to sources of news not commonly brought together in the same medium; and to employ such varied sources in the public presentation of accurate, objective, comprehensive news on all matters vitally affecting the community." The link for public comments is http://www.cpb.org/talktous/ Although this may well end with Pacifica giving up CPB grants, Pacifica needs time to make that adjustment. We need to keep the dogs at bay (with apologies to dogs everywhere). -- Leslie Radford <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ---- >From my machine, I see your machine >From your machine, you see my machine Copyright 2005 Carl E. Gunther. Permission to reproduce this message in text form for not-for-profit purposes freely granted provided that the preceding copyright notice is retained. ------------------------ Yahoo! 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