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KBYU may lose its PBS affiliation
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Clean up your act KBYU | 6:18 p.m. May 18, 2009
How many Lawrence Welk shows and old movies shown 7 times on the weekend can you
take.
ah, too bad | 6:20 p.m. May 18, 2009
but they can make up for it with the new radio station announced today. so all
is well in zion.
Belgie | 6:20 p.m. May 18, 2009
"programming should be noncommercial, nonpartisan and
nonsectarian."
"This Old House" is pretty neutral, but have you watched any of the other standard PBS shows? The libs are at the helm of most media outlets.
"This Old House" is pretty neutral, but have you watched any of the other standard PBS shows? The libs are at the helm of most media outlets.
Comments continue below
Huh? | 6:25 p.m. May 18, 2009
I thought freedom of speech was offered to religions as well as gay groups (who
are just fine with their programming)...am I missing the democratic slant?
Douglas | 6:26 p.m. May 18, 2009
It does make sense. Churches are capable of funding their own programming as
well as their own stations. Whether we have faith or not, requiring
non-believers to fund the delivery our messages is not appropriate.
What IF.... | 6:28 p.m. May 18, 2009
....KBYU broadcasted other religious programming besides LDS? Would that be
considered "educational" by PBS....or scary-scary by the LDS.
Please. DO drop KBYU. I don't want a dime of my tax money supporting them.
After all, the First Amendment DOES say "regarding the establishment of religion..." and Utah's already got an established religion in place. Quit taxpayer-supporting it.
Please. DO drop KBYU. I don't want a dime of my tax money supporting them.
After all, the First Amendment DOES say "regarding the establishment of religion..." and Utah's already got an established religion in place. Quit taxpayer-supporting it.
djt | 6:33 p.m. May 18, 2009
Broadminded, tolerant, all accepting, inclusive, all one world, diversity
seeking PBS is shocked, shocked I tell you that there is religious programming
going on here. And we in Utah were all having such a good time watching a few
church programs when we could be watching "why Billy has two mommies."
I guess tolerance is to be extended, just not in certain directions. Fare thee
well PBS.
Liberty | 6:39 p.m. May 18, 2009
Fairness-and-balanced policy? How is a PROHIBITION of a religious worldview
fair and balanced?
Perhaps KBYU should band together with other stations and develop their own programming. And ensure that PBS never benefits from any of this programming...
Perhaps KBYU should band together with other stations and develop their own programming. And ensure that PBS never benefits from any of this programming...
Ernest T. Bass | 6:46 p.m. May 18, 2009
Good. KBYU needs to get rid of those secular, liberal programs such as Sesame
Street and This Old House. They just push the socialist programs.
BYUTV Fan | 6:50 p.m. May 18, 2009
I think the time for KBYU and KSL is passed.
I can get what I want from BYUTV and KUED respectfully, LDS content on one, PBS on the other. Great system.
KSL has been showing material for years that has made me uncomfortable being aired by an LDS Church owned station. I am a Mormon and it's not that I want those shows off the air, it just seems out of place on a Church owned station.
Let the Church concentrate on BYUTV and dump the other two. There was a time when they were needed but that time is gone.
I can get what I want from BYUTV and KUED respectfully, LDS content on one, PBS on the other. Great system.
KSL has been showing material for years that has made me uncomfortable being aired by an LDS Church owned station. I am a Mormon and it's not that I want those shows off the air, it just seems out of place on a Church owned station.
Let the Church concentrate on BYUTV and dump the other two. There was a time when they were needed but that time is gone.
Tyler | 6:52 p.m. May 18, 2009
Who cares PBS has become yet another Left Wing Anti God in life peice of Junk
Mark B | 7:05 p.m. May 18, 2009
I don't live in the area, but think it would be a real shame if PBS
programming were not available to central UT. Let's hope they can work
things out.
Tim | 7:09 p.m. May 18, 2009
Another reason to stop donating to PBS.
Anonymous | 7:11 p.m. May 18, 2009
NRP likes the idea of community radio. It's not like a Fourth of July event
held in a BYU venue in Utah with conservative entertainers that divides the
community politically.
Love PBS | 7:15 p.m. May 18, 2009
Long live PBS and the left wing liberals who produce it. At least it is a breath
of fresh air in the brainless sewer we call entertainment today. If KBYU loses
their PBS standing it won't be from the religious programming as much as
the lack of imagination behind their schedule. They've always been the
worst PBS station in UT.
John | 7:15 p.m. May 18, 2009
Anything the current government does is sure to be the wrong thing at the wrong
time. This is just another instance of what is happening to the current
generation.
Moabite | 7:18 p.m. May 18, 2009
The issue here is with the First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof..."
Just as the government cannot prohibit religious expression on PRIVATE channels or in traditional public fora, it also cannot FUND expressions of any certain religion. If taxpayer dollars go towards a station that broadcasts the views of one religion without also opening that station up to all others, then it looks like the government is helping or endorsing that religion. That a violation of the Establishment Clause (see above).
Refusing to fund religious expression is not the same as banning it, and is thus not a violation of the free expression guarantees in the First Amendment. BYU is still fully allowed to broadcast religious programming on its own; the people on this board that are claiming that religious expression would be silenced by this action are incorrect.
All of this is pretty well established by 200 years of Supreme Court cases clarifying the law.
Just as the government cannot prohibit religious expression on PRIVATE channels or in traditional public fora, it also cannot FUND expressions of any certain religion. If taxpayer dollars go towards a station that broadcasts the views of one religion without also opening that station up to all others, then it looks like the government is helping or endorsing that religion. That a violation of the Establishment Clause (see above).
Refusing to fund religious expression is not the same as banning it, and is thus not a violation of the free expression guarantees in the First Amendment. BYU is still fully allowed to broadcast religious programming on its own; the people on this board that are claiming that religious expression would be silenced by this action are incorrect.
All of this is pretty well established by 200 years of Supreme Court cases clarifying the law.
hey utah crazies | 7:36 p.m. May 18, 2009
Sesame Street is socialist? Have you watched it lately?
Ned | 7:40 p.m. May 18, 2009
Why doesn't the left leaning PBS send thier tax payer money back to DC so
that they can use it to help fund National Health care? Why all the hostility
toward a University that doesn't use tax payer money?
PBS needs to go away | 8:00 p.m. May 18, 2009
PBS is not needed. It was set up a long time ago when there were only 3 other
stations. It is not needed and our taxes can be lowered or spent on something
else.
Amy | 8:01 p.m. May 18, 2009
PBS should look primarily at donations for it's pledge drive. I pledged
around 300.00 last year to KBYU because I like the station. Does it make sense
to cut stations that are watched? It will be interesting to see what they decide
to do.
John Pack Lambert | 8:07 p.m. May 18, 2009
The 6:28 commentator does not understand freedom of religion. Have they ever
watched anything on KBYU? I doubt it. This is really an attempt to drive
religion out of the public sphere. To say that religion is banned from station
that the people support is the most egregious violation of freedom of speech I
have ever seen.
Different Times | 8:09 p.m. May 18, 2009
We've come a long way since Elder Oaks was chairman of the Board at PBS.
Broadcast TV is becoming less relevant all the time. The church has other forms of communication with the saints world-wide.
No big deal.
Broadcast TV is becoming less relevant all the time. The church has other forms of communication with the saints world-wide.
No big deal.
John Pack Lambert | 8:11 p.m. May 18, 2009
To djt,
You need to broaden your horizons. KBYU is not the only station that will be effected by these rulings. Utah is not the only place where religious programing exists in the media, and actually has far less of it than some places. All across the country there are PBS and NPR affiliates that have included religious programing of one sort or another, and are now being hurt be a new and envigorated war that is being waged by certain people against religion in the public sphere.
Also, contrary to what the 6:28 commentator implies, religios programing of other faiths would not have helped KBYU's position. He fails to understand either what it means to be "non-sectarian" or the fact that PBS's new campaign on the matter goes against the traditional understanding of the term.
You need to broaden your horizons. KBYU is not the only station that will be effected by these rulings. Utah is not the only place where religious programing exists in the media, and actually has far less of it than some places. All across the country there are PBS and NPR affiliates that have included religious programing of one sort or another, and are now being hurt be a new and envigorated war that is being waged by certain people against religion in the public sphere.
Also, contrary to what the 6:28 commentator implies, religios programing of other faiths would not have helped KBYU's position. He fails to understand either what it means to be "non-sectarian" or the fact that PBS's new campaign on the matter goes against the traditional understanding of the term.
Zadruga Guy | 8:13 p.m. May 18, 2009
I have seen no evidence that KBYU receives any taxpayer funding. My assumption
is that it does not. If I am correct in this then the First Amendment's
Establishment clause would be irrelevant IMHO. HOWEVER, by preventing KBYU from
broadcasting PBS, an argument could be made that the government would thereby be
violating a different part of the First Amendment -- the part that does not
allow the government to restrict the free exercise of religion.
John Pack Lambert | 8:15 p.m. May 18, 2009
Tax payer money is money that we are forced to give up. For the government to
then use this money to support a formum where religion is excluded is a
violation of the first admendment. This is not about tax payer money supporting
religion, but goernment institutions excluding religious expression from the
public sphere. It is an issue of free speech, not of establishment of religion.
Adam | 8:17 p.m. May 18, 2009
No one here is saying KBYU is going away. They might just lose their PBS
license. KUED has programming with an LDS slant though too, so why aren't
they affected? If this really is going to happen, just drop the LDS material and
let BYU-TV take it. Then we can all have a sanitized KBYU. But with KUED, who
really needs that?
All programming except for UR's | 8:39 p.m. May 18, 2009
Moabite,
"Just as the government cannot prohibit religious expression on PRIVATE channels or in traditional public fora, it also cannot FUND expressions of any certain religion. If taxpayer dollars go towards a station that broadcasts the views of one religion without also opening that station up to all others, then it looks like the government is helping or endorsing that religion."
And if government allows every form of programming on the air of government funded stations except for religious programming it is a violation of the 1st amendment which states that "Congress shall pass no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
"Refusing to fund religious expression is not the same as banning it, and is thus not a violation of the free expression guarantees in the First Amendment. BYU is still fully allowed to broadcast religious programming on its own; the people on this board that are claiming that religious expression would be silenced by this action are incorrect."
Yes it is the same thing because our taxes go to fund your programs while you deny us the same opportunity because of one thing. It is religious and therefore singled out for exclusion.
"Just as the government cannot prohibit religious expression on PRIVATE channels or in traditional public fora, it also cannot FUND expressions of any certain religion. If taxpayer dollars go towards a station that broadcasts the views of one religion without also opening that station up to all others, then it looks like the government is helping or endorsing that religion."
And if government allows every form of programming on the air of government funded stations except for religious programming it is a violation of the 1st amendment which states that "Congress shall pass no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
"Refusing to fund religious expression is not the same as banning it, and is thus not a violation of the free expression guarantees in the First Amendment. BYU is still fully allowed to broadcast religious programming on its own; the people on this board that are claiming that religious expression would be silenced by this action are incorrect."
Yes it is the same thing because our taxes go to fund your programs while you deny us the same opportunity because of one thing. It is religious and therefore singled out for exclusion.
Annoymous | 8:40 p.m. May 18, 2009
I love the PBS station in my city. They get plenty of public support and
there's zero religious programming.
Dick Lucas | 8:41 p.m. May 18, 2009
In order to balence the programming on KBYU, they need to show British comdies
like they do on Kued ch 7.
re: Zadruga Guy | 8:13 p.m. May 18, 2009
//I have seen no evidence that KBYU receives any taxpayer funding.//
If they receive any $ from the grants for the National Endowment of the Arts or National Endowment of the Humanities, then a case could be made KBYU receives 'public money'
re: Zadruga Guy | 8:13 p.m. May 18, 2009
//I have seen no evidence that KBYU receives any taxpayer funding.//
If they receive any $ from the grants for the National Endowment of the Arts or National Endowment of the Humanities, then a case could be made KBYU receives 'public money'
PBS is busy violating rights | 8:46 p.m. May 18, 2009
John Pack Lambert,
"Tax payer money is money that we are forced to give up. For the government to then use this money to support a formum where religion is excluded is a violation of the first admendment. This is not about tax payer money supporting religion, but goernment institutions excluding religious expression from the public sphere. It is an issue of free speech, not of establishment of religion."
You are right. It does violate the first amendment because it singles out a certain group for specific exclusion while allowing all others. Any religious programming is denied the same access to the public broadcasting system that both the religious and non-religious pay to support.
It forces KBYU to choose between airing religious programming and receiving public funding for its non-profit efforts to provide public broadcasting in Utah. This decision to single religion out for exclusion is a violation of the 1st amendment. Those who choose to conform will continue to receive tax monies while those who don't will be denied the same opportunity as those who don't share their views.
That is a fundamental violation of their rights.
"Tax payer money is money that we are forced to give up. For the government to then use this money to support a formum where religion is excluded is a violation of the first admendment. This is not about tax payer money supporting religion, but goernment institutions excluding religious expression from the public sphere. It is an issue of free speech, not of establishment of religion."
You are right. It does violate the first amendment because it singles out a certain group for specific exclusion while allowing all others. Any religious programming is denied the same access to the public broadcasting system that both the religious and non-religious pay to support.
It forces KBYU to choose between airing religious programming and receiving public funding for its non-profit efforts to provide public broadcasting in Utah. This decision to single religion out for exclusion is a violation of the 1st amendment. Those who choose to conform will continue to receive tax monies while those who don't will be denied the same opportunity as those who don't share their views.
That is a fundamental violation of their rights.
Propaganda is not free | 8:47 p.m. May 18, 2009
The very left-leaning PBS programming is largely paid for by TAX DOLLARS.
Perhaps this was an acceptable arrangement 30 years ago as an option to the 3
networks then broadcasting. However, today there is a great diversity of
programming available, so there is absolutely no justification for PBS even
existing. At least with any tax payer funding.
These days PBS is little more than a propaganda arm of the Democrat party, with a decided bias against any religion.
With a trillion dollar deficit this year we cannot afford to spend another dime on PBS.
KBYU should not give up their independence in order to comply with PBS dictates.
These days PBS is little more than a propaganda arm of the Democrat party, with a decided bias against any religion.
With a trillion dollar deficit this year we cannot afford to spend another dime on PBS.
KBYU should not give up their independence in order to comply with PBS dictates.
Stop discriminating | 8:53 p.m. May 18, 2009
Zadruga Guy,
"I have seen no evidence that KBYU receives any taxpayer funding. My assumption is that it does not."
It receives funding from PBS which in turn is mostly funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) which receives Congressional funding so KBYU is receiving taxpayer funding albeit indirectly but that isn't the issue. The issue is that PBS doesn't have the right to receive taxpayer money and then to turn around and discriminate against certain providers based solely on their providing religious programming which is explicitly stating "if you want to receive public funding you will adhere to the moral and religious beliefs of those who provide the funding."
This at the same time as requiring those people who are religious to subsidize stupid programming. That isn't right and it's violate the 1st amendment which prohibits the government from singling out people or groups for exclusion based solely on religion or specifically endorse any one religion over another.
They have no more right to require that religious programming be aired on all PBS channels then they do to prohibit every PBS channel from airing them solely based on religion.
"I have seen no evidence that KBYU receives any taxpayer funding. My assumption is that it does not."
It receives funding from PBS which in turn is mostly funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) which receives Congressional funding so KBYU is receiving taxpayer funding albeit indirectly but that isn't the issue. The issue is that PBS doesn't have the right to receive taxpayer money and then to turn around and discriminate against certain providers based solely on their providing religious programming which is explicitly stating "if you want to receive public funding you will adhere to the moral and religious beliefs of those who provide the funding."
This at the same time as requiring those people who are religious to subsidize stupid programming. That isn't right and it's violate the 1st amendment which prohibits the government from singling out people or groups for exclusion based solely on religion or specifically endorse any one religion over another.
They have no more right to require that religious programming be aired on all PBS channels then they do to prohibit every PBS channel from airing them solely based on religion.
Cats | 9:05 p.m. May 18, 2009
The problem is NOT that KBYU is broadcasting religious programming on a PBS
station. The problem is that taxpayer-funded television exists at all.
Originally PBS was formed to make educational programming available to the public. Today, MANY channels provide all kinds of programming across a wide spectrum including educational.
The government should only be in the business of providing services that are necessary to the nation and which are NOT provided by the private sector. The time for taxpayer subsidized public broadcasting has way since passed.
KBYU will do just fine on it's own. It's time for PBS to go!!!!!
Originally PBS was formed to make educational programming available to the public. Today, MANY channels provide all kinds of programming across a wide spectrum including educational.
The government should only be in the business of providing services that are necessary to the nation and which are NOT provided by the private sector. The time for taxpayer subsidized public broadcasting has way since passed.
KBYU will do just fine on it's own. It's time for PBS to go!!!!!
Hero of Canton | 9:12 p.m. May 18, 2009
I don't know why everyone is in a panic over this, KBYU is a terrible
station to begin with. PBS is on KUED so it's not like you will be missing
out on the great programming...besides, PBS has no Bill Nye the Science Guy
anymore so why watch?
Richard Adams | 9:14 p.m. May 18, 2009
The claim the taxpayer money is supporting KBYU's religious programming is
a straw man. I am pretty sure that KBYU has to PAY for the PBS programs that it
airs, not the other way around. What a terrible story from DesNews that leaves
this fact out.
As for the NEA grant funding, that is for producing the source material, not the airing. And if NEA funds any KBYU produced programs, then that's the NEA's call, not PBS nor "taxpayer money." And I'm not so thrilled with anything that the Federal government uses my tax dollars for, this is a drop in a bucket.
Fairness -- shmairness.
As for the NEA grant funding, that is for producing the source material, not the airing. And if NEA funds any KBYU produced programs, then that's the NEA's call, not PBS nor "taxpayer money." And I'm not so thrilled with anything that the Federal government uses my tax dollars for, this is a drop in a bucket.
Fairness -- shmairness.
People, please | 9:53 p.m. May 18, 2009
KBYU has to purchase the programming from PBS. They are not getting a bucket of
money here to support religious programming. This is simply a matter of whether
or not KBYU will be permitted to affiliate with PBS and purchase its national
programs like Sesame Street. This is not the state underwriting religious
programming so please calm down dear rabid secularists. If a program gets
funding from the NEA it is not indicative of a vast religious-wing conspiracy.
All kinds of institutions can apply and receive federal grants, even one's
that incorporate faith into their mission and programming.
On another note, they said in the article that it has been 15 years since the policy was reviewed:
2009 - 15 = 1994, who was President then?
This is an administrative change reflecting national Democrats general contempt for anything faith related.
On another note, they said in the article that it has been 15 years since the policy was reviewed:
2009 - 15 = 1994, who was President then?
This is an administrative change reflecting national Democrats general contempt for anything faith related.
Most viewers | 10:13 p.m. May 18, 2009
Most who tune into KBYU do so for the religious programming. All the other fare
is available at KUED. Take away the religious programming and there is no
reason to have KBYU.
Please... | 10:18 p.m. May 18, 2009
...just don't do anything to Little House on the Prairie.
Anonymous | 10:53 p.m. May 18, 2009
"punish" Kbyu? give me a break.
OK, I'm calling your bluff | 11:10 p.m. May 18, 2009
I'm pretty darn sure that money goes from the affiliates to PBS, not the
other way around. So, unless you can produce an official website that shows a
budget showing a transfer from a government agency or PBS national to KBYU
I'll say "horsefeathers".
As for non-commercial, the cynical side in me likes to point out all the Elmo dolls, the Barney dolls, the Thomas the Tank Engine trains, the Arthur books, etc. . .that are sold without any advertising needed. Billions of dollars in licensing. The shows could be considered to be half-hour to hour long commercials. So, why do we have to donate money?
As for non-commercial, the cynical side in me likes to point out all the Elmo dolls, the Barney dolls, the Thomas the Tank Engine trains, the Arthur books, etc. . .that are sold without any advertising needed. Billions of dollars in licensing. The shows could be considered to be half-hour to hour long commercials. So, why do we have to donate money?
Maggie | 11:23 p.m. May 18, 2009
I just wish KBYU would lose the Midnight showings of Sesame Street on the
weekends. I mean how many insomniac children are out there? Aside from that,
I'd be very upset if PBS messed with KBYU, afterall the religious programs
are preaching to the choir anyway. Other than those specific hours of
programming KBYU has a great, and standard PBS schedule. Lighten up PBS - this
is not necessary!
No More Money | 11:32 p.m. May 18, 2009
If PBS drops KBYU, I will no longer support PBS in their fundraising. And--I do
not even live in Utah.
Anonymous | 11:34 p.m. May 18, 2009
Fortunately we still have PBS, it was almost eliminated by the Bush
administration and republican majorities in 2004. That would have been a
terrible loss! I hope that this can be resolved, although I so not watch the
church programs, I love the PBS media.
PBS is Awesome | 11:39 p.m. May 18, 2009
I fully support the liberal arts channels. We need more educational programming,
not the festering divisional programs that FOX promotes.
Dear Moabite | 11:44 p.m. May 18, 2009
You missed the concept of the last phrase in the first amendment. Congress
shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the
free exercise thereof..."
This is the same as prohibiting the free exercise. If people don't want to listen they just don't turn that station on. No one is forcing them to listen. They have a wrist, some fingers and a mind, which they can use to turn the dial or push a button.
This is the same as prohibiting the free exercise. If people don't want to listen they just don't turn that station on. No one is forcing them to listen. They have a wrist, some fingers and a mind, which they can use to turn the dial or push a button.
Carlos | 12:09 a.m. May 19, 2009
Just think, without PBS, we'd have no place to get home improvement shows,
cooking shows, children's educational shows, or international programming
(BBC).
oh brother! | 1:14 a.m. May 19, 2009
I think we should all just turn off our tv's. Don't have 'em in
your house. Read the paper - if you can find one - or the news on the computer.
Or.. better yet.. play a game with your kids or read a book. I can't wait
for June 12. We will be a dvd/vhs only house. Those will be very limited.
Right now we only have antenna tv with about 6 stations anyway! woo hoo!
Lisa | 2:08 a.m. May 19, 2009
RE: No More Money--My thoughts exactly. The money I have spent supporting PBS
in my community will now go to the LDS church's humanitarian effort.
Good Riddance to PBS | 2:20 a.m. May 19, 2009
Left wing leaning PBS is not a good fit with those that want a balanced view of
the universe. Good Riddance.
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An engineer works in the master control for KBYU and other BYU broadcasting in this photo taken March 2, 2007.
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