June 3, 2009

PBS affiliate fears losing religious programming such as ‘Televised Mass’

By Tracy Kmetz

Recent national news reports have revealed a potential threat to the continuation of Denver’s “Televised Mass,” locally produced by the Office of Communications for the Archdiocese of Denver.

During a board meeting scheduled for June 14-16, the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) will vote on a committee recommendation to strip all of their affiliated stations of “sectarian”—i.e., religious—content.

The archdiocese’s “Televised Mass,” in English, currently airs on KBDI Channel 12, a local PBS affiliate. A positive vote for such a proposal would require KBDI and all affiliated PBS stations throughout the country, to drop religious affiliated programs, such as the “Televised Mass,” from their scheduled programming.

“Based upon our understanding of the proposal, we are not supportive of it,” Marcia Simmons, director of marketing for KBDI Channel 12, told the Denver Catholic Register.

“It is our view,” she added, “that (through the ‘Televised Mass’), we are providing a worthwhile community service—an offer that is open to all religious groups.”

Simmons’ comments refer, in part, to the language of PBS’ Editorial Standards and Policies as published on their Web site at pbs.org: “PBS believes that public broadcasting’s greatest potential is realized when it serves the unique needs of the local community, and that there are wide variations in local needs and tastes. No one is better qualified to determine and respond to those local needs than the public television station licensed to that community.”

In response to the already growing protest against the upcoming proposal, PBS’ Ombudsman Michael Getler offered his comments in a recent newsletter, also published on their Web site:

“The non-sectarian requirement has been in PBS membership bylaws since 1985 but hasn’t been enforced strictly. The board is now seeking comment from its member stations on this issue…. Some PBS officials believe that what may emerge from that response will be a discussion about how best to serve communities yet stay within the confines of the bylaws.”

The archdiocese and KBDI are urging the faithful to contact PBS to let them know they want to keep religious programming on the air.

“While it is too early for the Office of Communications or KBDI to give official feedback as to the level of danger facing Denver’s ‘Televised Mass,’ the archdiocese together with KBDI urge viewers and supporters to voice their concern to the national office, thus informing the voting board members of the negative consequences of enacting such a proposal,” said Jeanette DeMelo, communications director for the Denver Archdiocese.

CONTACT INFORMATION

National Public Broadcasting Service headquarters

Address:  PBS, 2100 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202

E-mail: Online form available at  pbs.org/aboutsite/about site_emailform.html

Web site: pbs.org

Viewers may also contact board members directly. For a list of board members, visit pbs.org, click on “About PBS,” then on “Corporate Facts” then on “Board of Directors.”