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PDF versionPBS puts limits on religious programming
Jun. 17, 2009
WASHINGTON -- PBS officials voted June 16 to not allow new religious programming at member stations, but allowed select PBS stations to continue broadcasting their current faith-based line-ups.
The PBS Board of Directors took the action Tuesday after concerns were raised that religious programming could violate the organization's nonsectarian status.
The board unanimously elected to grandfather in the handful of existing shows that are directly religious in nature; the ruling does not affect news shows or documentaries.
"The board has basically voted to insure that the religious programming that stations currently provide and that communities have come to rely on are able to stay on air," said PBS spokesperson Jan McNamara.
Only six of over 350 member stations broadcast religious programming, according to McNamara. At stake for at least three of the stations were long-running Sunday Masses, broadcast mostly to the elderly.
For the last decade, the televised "Mass for Shut-Ins" has aired on Denver's KBDI every Sunday at 6:30 a.m. The Archdiocese of Denver produces the program, which has been on-air continuously for 53 years.
"I have to say that any time, whether it's weather or a malfunction, if Mass doesn't air, we have voice mailboxes full of the elderly calling us," said Jeannette DeMelo, spokeswoman for the archdiocese.
The 30-minute program serves as the only way some homebound seniors and nursing-home residents can connect with their community of faith, said DeMelo.
"Aside from it being the church's role to provide for the vulnerable and the weak, I think society in general seeks to do that," said DeMelo. "That's why we're grateful that PBS has allowed this to continue to happen because I really do think it's a service for the broader public."
Public broadcasting stations in New Orleans and Washington recently have shown similar Sunday Masses. KBYU out of Provo, Utah, which is affiliated with Mormon-owned Brigham Young University, shows daily Mormon programming alongside PBS favorites like "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer" and "Sesame Street."
The vote may come too little, too late for one program. Washington's WHUT already released its "Sunday TV Mass" from the line-up, according to Archdiocese of Washington spokeswoman Susan Gibbs.
Gibbs said the archdiocese, which funds the long-running televised service, has been shopping around for a new home for the show since March, after word came from WHUT that PBS would be reconsidering its religious broadcasts.
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Gibbs said the archdiocese recently signed a contract with The CW-Channel 50, at a price that will cost $60,000 more per year than it did on public broadcasting.
Since 1985, PBS has committed its programming to be noncommercial, nonpolitical and nonsectarian in order to guarantee fair and balanced coverage. For the last 18 months, PBS has been conducting an overall policy review to update the organization for the new media age.
I suppose that they think
I suppose that they think that their viewership isn't Catholic. What's funny if that their second largest station by audience is Buffalo where lots of Catholic reside. What's even more funny is that even BBC in Britain recently aired the installation Mass for the Installation of the new Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster. If you are not aware of it, BBC is state run and Public Television is also significantly government funded. Don't forget this coming friday, as its the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus-God come in the flesh! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
This is the beginning of the
This is the beginning of the current Administration's attempt to destroy our religious heritage. PBS would never have done such a dastardly deed under the former administration.
I support PBS's decision. If
I support PBS's decision. If you want to watch religious programming, there are plenty of options to choose from. The government has no business promoting one religion or another. It's the same thing as with religion in PUBLIC schools. If you want to learn about a certain religion, go to that religion's church/temple/mosque/synogogue.
Milbo1, You are so correct!
Milbo1,
You are so correct! B. Hussein Obama's fingerprints are all over this! Not only do we clearly see his direct handiwork, but this is going to have a massive impact! The sheer number of stations and viewers speak for themselves. This is so like a Demoncrat to destroy our heritage(!) with such crafty measures such as...allowing existing religious programming to continue. Good catch, Milbo1!
Athanasius, This is how they
Athanasius, This is how they do it. They say they will allow the existing program to continue and then when the debate dies down they cut any existing religous segments of our culture out completely! They can pull the wool over some people but not intelligent people like you and me. Did you know that St. Athanasius was a great champion of orthodoxy during the Arian crisis? He is also a Doctor of the Church. I am delighted that you are also a champion for orthodoxy against the wily and crafy Democrats. It is so good that we think alike and know their next move.
With all the neo-cons and
With all the neo-cons and fundies co-opting and dividing the mainline churches, who can blame PBS? They have simply played "follow the leader" and emulated Pres. Obama's wise sidestepping of the National Day of Prayer breakfast guest list (he learned his lesson at the Inauguration!), while "grandfathering" in those local religious broadcasts which have stood the test of time. Bravo! Who wants to watch Randall Terry serving Archbishop Burke's Mass on government-sponsored TV, OR suing the federal govt. because they can't? Support your local PBS station. Let there be light!
Milbo1 and Athanasius, Get of
Milbo1 and Athanasius,
Get of the soap box. This has nothing to do with President Obama.
I'm a Catholic, Democrat, and American. I don't like the decision made by PBS but never expected it to be my "church."
With a unnecessary way and trashed economy inherited from his predecessor, I doubt he's had the time and I know he didn't have the interest to put his "fingerprints" in such a decision
Snowdrop, the Westminister
Snowdrop, the Westminister installation mass for the new archbishop, which you told us was on BBC, did you see it? What was it like?
I am glad they will still air
I am glad they will still air documentaries and news shows because they can be very fascinating and educational, informative. History channel too airs some great religious documentaries. I really enjoy them. Glad they will keep what is on all ready.
People, do not be silly and blame the new president for every change you do not like. These decisions made by tv channels were made long before he became president and he does not control PBS and much of the other stuff you want to blame him unjustly for.
Stop blaming Obama. Bush was probably unfairly blamed too for lots of stuff he did not really control either. Let us not be so silly and so polemic about things. Liberal or conservative thinking , democrat or republican, we are really all one in Christ and Catholicism or should be!
Love our neighbour does not equal hate and condemnation! Problem solve and try to stop the blame game and co-operate and be in community. This new church of Pope BXVI is becoming the Church of Excommunication and Exclusion, and it is a very damaging trend that Benedict is doing.
Those who drive away others, who rejoice in the Incredible Shrinking Catholic Church and post comments to claim good riddance of any Catholics they disagree with do not listen to Jesus who in book of Mark, NT, tells us to not drive anyone away.
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