If you want NPR to stand up to Fox...

[onebigbadwulf]

E-mail FRESH AIR - [e-mail]

Here is a copy of the letter I Sent..

To whom it may concern,

I am extremely disappointed in NPR for apologizing to Bill O'Reilly. Terry's interview on Fresh Air was completely fair, especially since O'Reilly went on with the sole purpose of starting a fight. Unfortunately, it seems as though NPR buckled under the weight of a few loud mouthed fools. You fell for the setup and then backed down! Do not fall for their bullying! Just because TEN O'Reilly fanatics send you a thousand e-mails each, it does not mean they speak for your audience! Anyone who supports O'Reilly in any way does not speak for your audience! By taking sides with Fox News, you have completely alienated yourselves from your loyal listeners. We despise Fox news! We know it's sensationalist and biased! Why bend to their meaningless whims? You've completely broken our trust.

I have been a loyal contributor to NPR for years, but now I cannot in good conscience continue to support your programs. How can I honestly contribute to those who stoop to the wishes of a horribly biased media? My friends and colleagues, who are also loyal contributors, are now terminating their contributions as well. You have made a grave mistake.

The great thing about NPR was that it was an unbiased, non-commercial, and completely objective source of news and information. However, now we see a terrible agenda emerging - an agenda to not anger the loud minority that has hijacked America and its dwindling freedom of speech. We were all truly saddened to hear the apology, and unless NPR learns stand up to this administration and its minions; to stand up for what it knows is right; and to report the objective truth without apology, we will NOT be contributing anymore. Please take my words with caution, I am speaking on behalf of your formerly-true, formerly-loyal, and formerly-contributing audience.

Sincerely,

[kcwayne]

1. This is what I sent to the Ombudsman

I listened to Terry Gross's interview with Bill O'Reilly, and had a completely different impression of it than you apparently did.
On the basis of the interview, I decided to make the largest contribution to National Public Radio that I have ever made.

I thought Terry did a poor job not because she was unfair, but because she was poorly prepared, and let Bill do his usual steam roller act, taking charge of the interview. In my opinion, Bill was hostile, condescending, and manipulative. Terry was not able to control the interview, and if I listened to the interview without context, I could have easily believed it was a "No Spin Zone" segment.

The reason I chose to make a contribution to NPR is that I feel very strongly that there must be a voice that will counter what endless right wing programs pound out on the airwaves. The fact that NPR would put someone like O'Reilly on and ask tough questions was an inspiration to me, and I want to see it continue.

However, if the management of NPR feels the need to apologize for asking tough questions, and shrinks from the dialogue with the right as does commerically driven media, then I will have no compelling reason to continue to fund NPR.

[Nlighten1]

3. You must put the interview in context.

She was interviewing BO and BO doesn't give any consideration to his guests so why should Terry give him any quarter?

[mbartko]

2. To Ombudsman

You APOLOGIZED to O'Reilly?!

Why? I renewed my membership in NPR specifically DUE TO the Fresh Air
interview. Do you seriously think die-hard supporters of O'Reilly give
ANYTHING to NPR? They DESPISE you!

If you are going to cave in to big corporate media, I don't see any reason to even HAVE public radio. You know, I kind of want my money back.

[Atlant]

5. If you push them hard enough, they'll give you your money back.

I did this with NH Public Radio some years ago when they
caved-in to the Reich Wing on their programming.

Atlant

[midnight armadillo]

4. Did you hear ATC yesterday?

On All Thigns Considered last night there was a segment on the latest Bush right wing fruitcake appointment to the DC Circuit Court, a black woman whose name escapes me. After glossing over her record (calling it "controversial" and "conservative") Nina Tottenberg ended with a prediction that she'd be the next VICTIM of a Democratic filibuster. The condescension in her voice was thick enough to bottle. No mention really of WHY the woman's opinions were so f*cked up.

[Atlant]

6. NPR is a hopeless cause right now. Let them die. (NT)

[Nlighten1]

8. Right

I heard that too and I was just shaking my head in disbelief. Never mind the fact that almost all of her peer organizations gave her failing grades.

[fla nocount]

7. Call them during the next "beg-a-thon"

To tell them you're NOT contributing and then tell why, be specific. This does work and it does get back to the station manager. Be polite though, those people on the line are volunteers.