PBS station pulls plug on documentary

[kskiska]

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- The PBS television station in Albuquerque pulled a documentary on evolution after discovering it was funded by evangelical Christian groups.

The show,"Unlocking the Mystery of Life," challenges Darwin’s theory of evolution. It had mistakenly been slated to air Friday night, in a time slot reserved for the science show"Nova."

"The funders of this program have a clear and specific agenda that they openly promote," said Joan Rebecchi, KNME-TV’s marketing manager.

"KNME has no position regarding this agenda, but we must guard against the public perception that editorial control might have been exercised by the program funders," she said.

Chad Davis, KNME program manager, said the show lists five Christian organizations as funders, including the Crowell Trust, whose Web site says it promotes"the teaching and active extension of the doctrines of evangelical Christianity through approved grants to qualified organizations."

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[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. Good on PBS...and it's real Christian to deceive...no?

[Bill McBlueState]

4. that's as good an anti-creationism argument as any

The way creationists have to be so sneaky about everything is almost enough evidence by itself to discredit their position.

[progressoid]

2. Good for them - the numskulls on the right have been trying to

usurp pbs for a while. Even that douchebag Tucker Carlson got a show.

[bunkerbuster1]

7. Correction: Tucker Carlson is a wanker.

http://www.thepoorman.net/archives/003631.html

It's all about standing united, y'all.

[FizzFuzz]

3. Wheyw I'm glad this one is good news. The opening line had me scared!

Hooray, let's have more people stand up to the christo-fascist bullies!!!

One thing I wish we would see, though, is an end to the polite diplomatic language--I'd love to see people in positions to make these decisions call a spade a spade. "Hell no, we won't air far-right pseudo-religion anti-factual crap on our network!!!!" --haha that's what I would love to see; ah well I can dream.

Wonder if there's an email for that station?

[Noxmtbnk]

9. Contact info

http://www.knmetv.org/contact_us/index.php3

Sorry I don't have time to get the specific email address, I just realized I'm late for work!!! hehe

[FizzFuzz]

19. thanks very much

late for work--oh, that's NEVER happened to me. Nope. I most certainly never surf DU until I'm late for work.

Never surf DU until 5 hours past my bedtime either. ;)

[Massachusetts]

5. How about a Documentary on

The History Of Religion's Role In Human Tragedy.

Praise Gee Sus that would be sacrilege.:evilgrin: O8) :evilfrown:

[arwalden]

6. RATIONAL Heads Prevail.

Good!

[bunkerbuster1]

8. I'm sure they've got all kindsa "scientific" evidence

such as this piece of work:

http://www.chick.com/catalog/books/0123.asp

[gatorboy]

17. Chick Productions? Does that stand for Jack T. Chick?

D'oh! Just checked...Guess it does.

Man, that guy has made some screwed up comics throughout his life!

http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/1020/1020_01.asp

And they've had 500,000,000 of those little strips printed!

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[AliciaKeyedUp]

11. That's a good standard

No documentaries by people who have a "clear and specific agenda that they openly promote." Unfortunately, it does nullify other PBS programming that gets through.

They ran an attack piece of Wal-Mart (Yes, they suck, but still deserve fair treatment) that was funded by anti-globalists. Seems a bit of inconsistency.

I think journalistic organizations should be consistent.

[RainDog]

12. problem in your argument

the issue of whether or not Wal-Mart is a problem is an issue that can be debated.

the issue of evolution versus creationism is really not subject to debate, unless you want to align yourself with people who, like the church during the time of Galileo, denied truth in order to advance an agenda of the church that had absolutely nothing to do with science.

the issue is that the group does not represent science. it represents religion trying to pass itself off as science.

the language the station used should have directly addressed the real issue, but it seems it chose language to soften its reason for refusing to air the program.

Nova is a well known program with a reputation to protect, as well. To air such pseudo-science in the same time slot would have been a breech of the public trust, since people look to Nova for fact, not religious propaganda.

[AliciaKeyedUp]

15. Go after Wal-Mart by all means

Just don't have an anti-globalization group sponsor it. That's not right and you know it.

I think journalists should do a bit better, don't you?

As for evolution, I don't see how it conflicts with my view of god or religion or creation or anything. God's more than a bit smarter than I am, so it makes sense to me that whatever was designed is pretty cool.

[mutus_frutex]

23. A couple of points:

Are you referring to the Nathan Cummings Foundation?

I have checked their web page and here is their mission statement:

"Mission Statement

The Nathan Cummings Foundation is rooted in the Jewish tradition and committed to democratic values and social justice, including fairness, diversity, and community.
We seek to build a socially and economically just society that values nature and protects the ecological balance for future generations; promotes humane health care; and fosters arts and culture that enriches communities.

The Foundation's approach to grantmaking embodies some basic themes in all of its programs:

* concern for the poor, disadvantaged, and underserved;

* respect for diversity;

* promotion of understanding across cultures;

* and empowerment of communities in need."

Do you think this disagrees with the PBS's mission?

As long as the funding source doesn't affect the facts reported, I don't see what's wrong. It might seem inappropriate, but it is not unless you have some evidence.

In the case of the creationist "documentary" the facts HAVE BEEN altered to match the sponsors view.

Now, you say:

As for evolution, I don't see how it conflicts with my view of god or religion or creation or anything. God's more than a bit smarter than I am, so it makes sense to me that whatever was designed is pretty cool.

That is the delusional position that some believers take. What can I say, evolution posses a pretty big problem for the "goodness" of god. If you think that your god is responsible for everything in nature then you good is an obvious son of a bitch..

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

21. Well...

[Judi Lynn]

24. Well done! Very cool. Thanksalot. n/t

BratFarrowwater!

[intheflow]

13. Finally!

PBS demonstrates it's conversion to lapdog for the right is not complete. There is hope for Public Broadcasting yet! :thumbsup:

[VegasWolf]

14. HooRay for PBS!!! Besides, how could the concept of creationism

occupy a whole hour of television? One sentence should be enough.

[ret5hd]

16. yeah, one sentence, three words...god did it.

that wouldn't even take up the 10 seconds a "sponsor" gets.

[Rainscents]

18. PBS needs public donations...

This show might had cause public outrage!!! I am with PBS... This is public station and most of the money comes from We The People! I donate to PBS.

[Lizzie Borden]

20. Thank-you PBS!

Hey, Massachusettes, I think your idea of a documentary on the history of religion's role in human tragedy is excellent. I have often thought that most of the rationale for war has been either relgion or geography.

[0007]

22. "intelligent design is"creationism in a lab coat"

Dave Thomas, a physicist and mathematician who is president of New Mexicans for Science and Reason, which promotes critical thinking, said intelligent design is"creationism in a lab coat." Thomas, who has seen the documentary, agreed with the decision to pull it.