Would prevent PBS affiliates like WLAE from airing some religious programming such as the Mass and Issues & Faith
PBS considering
striking 'sectarian' programming -- seeking response before June 12, 2009
The Public
Broadcasting Service (“PBS”) is poised to vote on June 14-15 on a revised
programming policy for its affiliated television stations which, among other
policies, would not permit them to air “sectarian” programs. Part of its decision will include a
definition of “sectarian.” PBS’ proposed
definition appears to include such programs as “The Face: Jesus in Art” and
“Walking the Bible”, but excluding programs which consist of religious services
(such as the Mass). In a meeting with
USCCB staff, PBS spokespersons said that its upcoming decision will be an
attempt to balance the need for its affiliates to meet their statutory
requirement to meet local needs and interests with a desire to prevent the PBS
“brand” from being associated with particular religious views and beliefs. PBS is a private corporation whose members
are the television stations affiliated with PBS, and is not a government agency,
so constitutional concerns and arguments are not germane to this proposed
policy. Nevertheless, PBS’ decision can
be influenced by the opinions not only of its member-stations, but of the
affected communities.
The national PBS
leadership is receiving comments on its proposed “no sectarian program” rule
from its affiliates, which include several stations owned by religious
entities. Those include WLAE, a New
Orleans PBS affiliate owned by a lay Catholic organization, KMBH, a Brownsville
PBS affiliate owned by the Diocese of Brownsville and KBYU, a PBS affiliate
owned by a division of Brigham
Young University. The Archdiocese of Washington already has
been informed by WHUT in Washington,
D.C. that its Mass for shut-ins,
which had been aired for years on that station, will be dropped.
PBS staff has told
USCCB that the decision-making committee would find community reaction
helpful. If you or your staff have a
reaction to this proposed decision, please send an email or fax to: Helen Osman, Secretary of Communications,
USCCB at hosman@usccb.org or 202/541-3129
before June 12, 2009. We will forward these comments to PBS immediately.
More information on
this topic can be found at http://www.current.org/pbs/pbs0907sectarian.shtml.
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