Monday, May 02, 2005
The New York Times > Arts > Television > Republican Chairman Exerts Pressure on PBS, Alleging Biases
The New York Times > Arts > Television > Republican Chairman Exerts Pressure on PBS, Alleging Biases: "But he has repeatedly criticized public television programs as too liberal overall, and said in the interview, 'I frankly feel at PBS headquarters there is a tone deafness to issues of tone and balance.'
Pat Mitchell, president and chief executive of PBS, who has sparred with Mr. Tomlinson privately but till now has not challenged him publicly, disputed the accusation of bias and was critical of some of his actions.
'I believe there has been no chilling effect, but I do think there have been instances of attempts to influence content from a political perspective that I do not consider appropriate,' Ms. Mitchell, who plans to step down when her contract expires next year, said Friday.
Robert Coonrod, who stepped down as corporation president in July 2004, has known Mr. Tomlinson about 20 years and considers him a good friend. 'I believe that his motives are exactly what he says they are,' he said. Mr. Tomlinson is 'trying to help the people in public broadcasting understand why some people in the conservative movement think PBS is hostile to them and, two, imbue public broadcasting with the notion of balance because he thinks that long term it's a winner in getting Congressional support.'"
Pat Mitchell, president and chief executive of PBS, who has sparred with Mr. Tomlinson privately but till now has not challenged him publicly, disputed the accusation of bias and was critical of some of his actions.
'I believe there has been no chilling effect, but I do think there have been instances of attempts to influence content from a political perspective that I do not consider appropriate,' Ms. Mitchell, who plans to step down when her contract expires next year, said Friday.
Robert Coonrod, who stepped down as corporation president in July 2004, has known Mr. Tomlinson about 20 years and considers him a good friend. 'I believe that his motives are exactly what he says they are,' he said. Mr. Tomlinson is 'trying to help the people in public broadcasting understand why some people in the conservative movement think PBS is hostile to them and, two, imbue public broadcasting with the notion of balance because he thinks that long term it's a winner in getting Congressional support.'"
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