July 1, 2009

PBS votes against future religious programming

By Tracy Kmetz

Since May, Catholic dioceses throughout the United States have anxiously awaited the verdict of a June 16 vote put forth by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) concerning the continuation of religious programming on affiliated stations.

On June 16, PBS released their formal decision, stating that all future sectarian or “religious” broadcasting has been banned from all PBS stations and affiliates. However, within the same vote, the board gave exemption to the five PBS-member stations which currently offer some sort of sectarian programming as part of their broadcast schedules.

As defined by PBS, “sectarian content” means advocacy of a particular religion or religious point of view.

Denver’s KBDI Channel 12, which currently airs the Archdiocese of Denver’s “Televised Mass,” is one of the five PBS-member stations to which the PBS board refers in their final decision.

Given this exemption, more than 40,000 dedicated viewers of the Archdiocese of Denver’s “Televised Mass” can breathe a sigh of relief. However, archdiocesan leadership has expressed great disappointment in the overall message put forth by the vote.

“On one hand, I'm grateful we can still air the ‘Televised Mass’ on KBDI,” said Jeanette DeMelo, director of Communications for the Archdiocese of Denver. “It’s a true service to our elderly public.

“On the other hand,” she continued, “this decision shows a continued deterioration of tolerance for religion in the public sector. Media elites for many years now have been deciding what’s of public interest rather than the true public deciding. In principle, this decision is extremely worrisome given the precedent that it sets.”

PBS ombudsman Michael Gettler serves as an independent internal critic within the network. He reviews commentary and criticism from viewers and seeks to ensure that PBS upholds its own standards of editorial integrity.

Noting the controversy that has surrounded the issue throughout the past year, Gettler offered his thoughts regarding the board decision.

“My own view is that the PBS board compromise seems to be reasonable,” he said. “Personally, I am a strong believer in the separation of church and state.”

Gettler’s full remarks, as well as PBS’ formal response to the overwhelming negative feedback regarding the decision, are posted to pbs.org.

The “Televised Mass” began in 1966 and is considered one of Denver’s longest running local TV programs. KBDI Channel 12 picked up the “Televised Mass” in 1998, and continues to offer their continued, local support for and dedication to the program.