‘Hand of God’ again.
Lots more happening in the dustup over the decision of a Catholic-diocese-owned PBS affiliate not to air the clergy abuse documentary Hand of God on January 16 at its scheduled time, as did most other PBS stations.* Published TV listings and the station’s own Web site listed the program as scheduled for January 16.
First came Bruce Lee Smith’s story, detailing conflicting reports about why KMBH didn’t run the documentary. Viewers who called the station asking about it were told that the station manager, Msgr. Pedro Briseno, was holding the program to review it for content. When the press started asking questions, they were told the station never received the program from PBS. Then came a response from the Msgr. Briseno, explaining that he would answer reporters’ written questions on Friday. Here’s how that went down.
Response from KMBH
January 20,2007
This is a statement from KMBH’s General Manager on a story published today by local newspapers on Frontline of last Tuesday.
Reporter
Bruce Smith of the Valley Morning Star sent me a questionnaire on
Thursday, January 18 at 4:57 PM, three minutes before closing of
business day. I still responded as soon as I could the same day…I
realize now that Bruce must have had his article ready when he sent me
the questionnaire late yesterday!!!
This
could be considered very bad journalism practice! Unethical! I leave
the editors and readers the option to discern. Bruce had been told
since Wednesday by my staff at KMBH Studio that I was available to
respond to his questions as long as they were in writing, because I was
out of my office and because it is more appropriate for the records. My
staff reported a sarcastic reaction from Bruce, who evidently took his
time in sending me his questionnaire… only after his article had been
written. But now he should feel happy with a moment to enjoy scandal
and controversy through an article full of prejudice and inaccuracy.
My response
to Bruce Smith can be seen in its entirety on our web page. I responded
to Bruce’s questions because I believe in journalism, having been
myself in the noble profession over twenty five years. I am sure our
viewers recognize the right of KMBH to denounce this practice of
unethical journalism that got its latest target on a station dedicated
to service and education.
Our
business is not to create scandal and confrontation, but TO CONTRIBUTE
TO EDUCATION. Nevertheless we know very well our rights and we are
ready to exercise them.
Sincerely,
Msgr. Pedro Briseño
RGV Educational Broadcasting
General Manager
Be sure to take the monsignor’s advice and read his response in its entirety.
Now the AP has picked up the story. Note this nugget: “A spokeswoman for the Diocese of Brownsville said the Catholic church
owns the station but does not influence programming decisions.” Given the monsignor’s statement that “our business is not to create scandal,” does the spokeswoman’s explanation hold water?
* I corrected this sentence to reflect the findings of the PBS ombudsman’s investigation.
The diocese doesn’t look good in light of the information presented by all sides. Still, perhaps one important piece of information is missing: the date the station’s programming guide had closed (for printing, etc.?) and the date that the station first learned of the apparent change in FRONTLINE programming. Did I miss something here?
Just another case of the bad old media that doesn’t understand.
Still hanging in the air is why the church owns a local PBS affiliate.
In reply to Joseph Jaglowicz:
We all must be missing a lot, if Monsignor Briseno believes the business about the program guide is an explanation as to why the show was not aired. Local TV guides and the station’s own website included “Hand of God” in their schedules. The printed material must have been prepared well in advance and is specific to the local station (not a generic national PBS schedule).
My question is, what difference does it make about the mailed program guide? What matters is why was the national feed was not shown that evening.
Typo. Sorry–should be: “why was the national feed not shown that evening.”
Just FYI — Not all PBS stations get the national feed. In my area, we have three separate PBS stations. One “always” gets the national feed, the other does, “sometimes” and the third, “never” gets it (it shows the national programs on a delayed (by months or weeks) schedule, and usually at totally different times. Honestly, this is great for me as I then get NOVA about four times a week, but I have to think that it’s based more on something like shows costing more when you get them on a first run basis, as the stations do tend to break down by economic heft on the same line as their access to the national feed.
For someone whose “business is not to create scandal and contradiction” Msgr. Briseño certainly seems to have the knack for it.
Milord Briseno is true to the stereotype which he an others have created and perpetuated.
Just to clarify: I don’t think any PBS station has the right to delay or not show a program. I would hope that when this station’s license is up for renewal, concerned viewers notify not only the FCC but also their U.S. representative and senators to complain about the station owner’s failure to serve the public interest. It’s obvious there was a conflict of interest here and parochial interests came first.