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KBYU may lose its PBS affiliation

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Eastern Observer | 4:42 a.m. May 19, 2009
I used to support PBS at the lowest donation level because I felt "guilty" that my kids were watching quality educational programming for free. But I stopped supporting PBS and wrote a letter of complaint to our local station about 15 years ago when they aired an independent film hosted by Joan Jett that mocked LDS missionaries in a very perverse way. Now I feel justified in watching the few appropriate shows aired on PBS - go Rick Steves! - while turning a deaf ear when they beg for money. They already get my share in tax funds.
To Douglas @ 6:26pm | 4:51 a.m. May 19, 2009
"Whether we have faith or not, requiring non-believers to fund the delivery our messages is not appropriate."

Wherein lies the problem with the liberal approach. They don't want to pay for religious programming, but they expect conservatives to pay for programming that promotes the gay agenda.

See the hypocrasy?
Zadruga Guy | 6:05 a.m. May 19, 2009
Maggie, as it happens, yes I do have a five-year old insomniac, and thus there have been many instances when I have turned on KBYU's weekend overnight Sesame Street marathon.

He has autism and regularly sees a pediatric sleep specialist. We give him medications that she prescribed every night to get him to sleep. Sometimes the medications wear off. This morning, he woke up at about 4:30. Some nights, he wakes up at midnight or 1:30.
Comments continue below
Random | 6:13 a.m. May 19, 2009
Open and unbiased, NPR looks to dump affiliates that offer religious programming. I guess, since they get government $$$ they now see a problem with separation of church and state. Funny thing that no one seems to have a problem with separation of media and state. I guess being on the government take, particularly in an age where government control goes along with the government dollars, isnt a big problem with NPR. Being secular isn't good enough for some folks; no, they won't rest until we are totally athestic.
Scott | 6:30 a.m. May 19, 2009
We have hundreds and hundreds of radio and television sources in the digital age. The need for PBS evaporated shortly after Al Gore invented the internet.

Let PBS earn it's own way like everybody else - OR they can try to get an Obama bailout like so many other loser businesses.
Distribution Nightmare | 6:34 a.m. May 19, 2009
" to punish those whose programming includes religious shows."

That's pretty wrong. This isn't about money, btw, it's about bundling and distribution. The PBS organization gets a broader audience, and certain satellites and newsfeeds are owned by them... If they wanted to, they could shut down KBYU's ability to broadcast past the local station, even if the church decided to back it. And that'd be sad for all my friends in Washington state, for example, who enjoy the station on their DirectTVs...
ramiumtuum | 6:39 a.m. May 19, 2009
I would guess the need to separate the religious from the educational would have stopped obama from going to a catholic school last week and have the "huevos" to ask for tolerance with the liberal religion of abortion above all.
martin | 6:39 a.m. May 19, 2009
well........ who said theres no more communists ,,,, there running pbs ,,,,,
what a surprise | 6:43 a.m. May 19, 2009
too bad for pbs to show that type of favoritism. Religion is the universe, history, and intrigue pbs doesn't have
Pat | 6:45 a.m. May 19, 2009
Note to "Douglas" 6:26 pm & "What If" 6:28 pm:
"Churches are capable of funding their own programing" ?? WHAT on earth does that have to do with anything? Stupid remark! Political, gay, health AND sports events ALL are capable of funding THEIR own programing also! POINT IS that PUBLIC broadcasting, paid for by ALL of us, INCLUDING the religeous, are ALL equally important to our country. A diverse community reflection INCLUDES the religeous, if that segemnt of the population WISHES to PARTICIPATE. PERIOD!!
YOUR prejudice is showing.........
Anonymous | 6:47 a.m. May 19, 2009
There are enough channels now, that speciality programming ought to be encouraged. Back in the days when there were only 3 channels, this would have made sense.
St.op funding and watching PBS | 6:53 a.m. May 19, 2009
It's time to stop funding and watching PBS and to hold our elected officials' accountable. If it's wrong for the government to be funding religious thought, then it is wrong to tax those who believe in the religious thought that abortion is immoral. Washington, it cuts two ways.

Years ago in an election debate the probing question was: Where's the beef? In this next election cycle the question is: Where's the money?

The United States government is bankrupt and only continues to prop itself up by printing more Monopoly money. In order to avoid collapse, our elected officials have chosen to nationalize and socialize. Religion has no place in a socialist society, as we are seeing.

Cherilyn Bacon Eagar
No Need | 6:59 a.m. May 19, 2009
Utah really doesn't need two Public Stations. Why not just have KBYU be an LDS channel, with Lawrence Welk and Little House on the Prairie thrown in for fun?
FIRST OF ALL | 7:03 a.m. May 19, 2009
There is nothing in the constitution that mentions seperation of state and religion. The only thing that is mentioned regarding religion in the constitution is one sentence that says congress can not make a law that favors one religion over another. There is nothing mentioned about seperation or any other branch or level of government in relation to religion.

Good bye Jim Lehr among other radical left shows that embarasses me to even be associated with BYU.
Brooke M. | 7:14 a.m. May 19, 2009
I will not donate any more money to PBS if they take this action. Since they are a "publicly" funded station - that may hurt their bottom line. Besides, aren't they the ones who showed a contriversial show about Homosexuality not too long ago? I didn't watch it - it's called the "POWER" button on the remote control!
To Douglas | 7:17 a.m. May 19, 2009
Then everyone else can fund their own. Churches are not the only organization that use PBS!
To Ernest T. Bass, | 7:20 a.m. May 19, 2009
I hate saying this but I think I agree. There are PLENTY of hidden messages in PBS children shows and maybe the BYU would be better off having to find different funding but at least have more control over what they publish for children.
spokane | 7:41 a.m. May 19, 2009
Bye Bye PBS and "OOps" there goes my money too!
Here they come | 7:43 a.m. May 19, 2009
Here come all the mormon haters! They are the ones that can't live and let live. Let your hate go!
Debbie | 7:45 a.m. May 19, 2009
It's hard to believe that PBS would take this stance. It was one station I thought had values and recognized a variety of interests, cultures, and took the higher road. If we want merely secular junk, we can watch the regular, commercial stations. Looks like they want to drop to the lowest common denominator and join the rest of the country in getting God out of our lives. This is pathetic. If this happens, I too will boycott PBS and will not merely switch to the U affiliate on 7.
Bert and Ernie / Life Partners | 7:47 a.m. May 19, 2009
We have Public Broadcast Systems, paid by taxpayers still?

What business does government have in spending tax dollars on television funding anyway. I get hundreds of channels on DirecTV that all manage to pay their own way. I don't think anyone in my family has watched a PBS station in over 40 years.

Let's rethink using tax dollars for television, and build some roads, schools, parks, etc. I don't care how much it costs the taxpayer. $1 spent on television programming that could go towards education is $1 too much.

Forget about Church and State. Lincoln said that the responsibility of government was to do for the people what they can't do for themselves.

Close PBS down.
This all just seems surreal . . | 7:54 a.m. May 19, 2009
. . . doesn't it? We're arguing over a public TV station should "punish" for religious content?

What country am I living in?!?
Mike | 8:04 a.m. May 19, 2009
I just get a kick out of all of you constitutional scholars and your interpretation of the so called, "Establishment clause." All that means is that there will not be a state sponsored church in the U.S. like there is in England, Germany, France, etc. The Eastablishment Clause has been so twisted around that today, the Founding Fathers wouldn't even recognize it.

I've never thought that This Old House is socialist. Same thing with New Yankee Workshop.
God vs. sectarians | 8:15 a.m. May 19, 2009
It's okay for sectarian politicians and some scientists to say that God didn't create the universe, but if a broadcaster says He does exist, you'll get your licencse jerked.

True North Strong and Free | 8:29 a.m. May 19, 2009
I smell an extension of the works of the great socialist president the folks in the U.S. just elected. The fun has only just begun for those in the land of the free. Looks like your land is getting a little bit less free all the time. Watch out for Barack. Next thing you know the pro-abortionist president will be delivering addresses at Christian religious institutions. Remember Notre Dame!
pepperoma | 8:32 a.m. May 19, 2009
Some of your comments have been very educational, if piecemeal, about the money trail. Does KBYU receive taxpayer money? I thought PBS was a donation-run sort of thing. And PBS is reviewing their rules. Are they a branch of the government? I don't think so. So the GOVERNMENT isn't insisting the religious programming be nixed. (But is the government pressuring PBS? I have no idea.) And lastly, sounds like the non-religious clause was already extant in PBS' rules & regs. It's not like they're making this up. You have to wonder about the timing of their decision to enforce said rules & regs, though.
Garth | 8:32 a.m. May 19, 2009
Sad day to see PBS officials getting drawn into "political correct" isolation of religion in a free society. My high regard for PBS is pained.
Are You Kidding | 8:43 a.m. May 19, 2009
If PBS wants to pull its programming, KBYU will survive. It does show the hate for anything religous anymore that is growing in our country. (Unless of course you want to air a special on some rare Eastern Religion or the trendy Islamic love affair!)

What really surprises me is the hatred shown by many of the commentators on this article towards anything Mormon! Has the LDS Church really done anything that bad to warrant this hatred? I grew up in the midwest and I never saw hatred for Mormons there! I remember more the opposite, my friends parents encouraged their kids to hangout with me, the girls I dated said their parents loved the fact that they were going out with a Mormon and in fact I had girls asking me to go to parties with them because their parents would let them go if they went with me.

If you don't like the programming, turn it off when it comes on. I do. Another religion on the tv doesn't bother me one bit. I think it actually helps the community to have a little more religion available. Afterall, a little good would really help us all.
Go Ahead PBS, Make My Day | 8:47 a.m. May 19, 2009
For years I have wanted to take a shotgun to the TV because of the worthless content and negative influence it had on my family. Then, we found we could subscribe to PBS through a network company and be able to watch uplifting shows with family values. Will, now if PBS decides to drop KBYU, we will save $40.00 a month, because we will no longer have need of the network company. All the other stations are trash. Including the news. We will turn to our computer and sell the TV. Suits me!
Enoughsenough | 8:49 a.m. May 19, 2009
This is so long overdue. BYU has coopted the "public television" for far too long that there is no real distinction between public and religious television on that campus or any one of the households forced to purchase another PBS affiliate.

I have found that most of the LDS faithful cannot distinguish between the church and the state. It's bad enough that the this state muddies the waters with a seminary across from every school 9th grade and above; school systems have to "adapt" their schedules to allow for the "voluntary" activity. BYU should stay in the small pond of mormon church education.
Robert | 8:49 a.m. May 19, 2009
Good riddance to PBS and their Democrat endorsing, abortion advocating, homosexual promoting, anti-God spewing evolutionists!
Refund my Contribution Then | 8:51 a.m. May 19, 2009
If PBS censors KBYU over programming, then I will censor PBS by boycotting their regular beg-a-thons. I will not contribute another dime to PBS. There are other options for programming; most of what I like on PBS are the British - BBC productions, which can be had on satellite TV or Netflix. I hope the management at PBS realize they're shooting themselves in the foot, particularly in markets like the Intermountain West.
Warren Pugh | 8:58 a.m. May 19, 2009
Sad! Fair and balanced? Just about the time NPR sees the light and balances its news PBS goes into a tailspin. For TV fans the loss of PBS would be tragic. Not Mormon here but am familiar with KBYU TV and radio. It is good with the little house etc.. PBS cannot touch "Mormon" music.

American news without American religion? You're an idiot. Mecca without Islam? Intelligence is what????

Choice: KBYU or PBS. No question. KBYU
























re:pepperoma | 8:32 a.m. | 9:13 a.m. May 19, 2009
Funding for PBS programs comes from a variety of sources - member stations' dues, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, government agencies, foundations, corporations and private citizens.

Additional Funding Resources:

American Documentary, Inc./POV
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Independent Television Service
National Endowment for the Arts
National Endowment for the Humanities
National Center for Outreach
The Foundation Center (clearing house for foundation grant information)

Minority Consortia:

Center for Asian American Media
National Black Programming Consortium
Native American Public Telecommunications
Pacific Islanders In Communications
Latino Public Broadcasting

These are the people who decide what is televised on PBS... And yes, it does include taxpayer funding.
jen | 9:18 a.m. May 19, 2009
no prob i will donate my money to a local religious tv station. pbs isnt the same anymore especially when questionable music industry artists are guests on sesame street.
gp | 9:25 a.m. May 19, 2009
Of course, PBS doesn't want any other religion to interfere with it's own new environmental religion, and the religion of secularism.
Henry Drummond | 9:25 a.m. May 19, 2009
As an agnostic super liberal Democrat I have to admit I find myself in agreement with those who believe that forbidding religious programming is an affront to what PBS stands for. It is a service to a community that is 90% LDS. They aren't asking for money. Come on guys. It makes no more sense to ban that kind of programming than to ban any other special interest programming.
Frank | 9:30 a.m. May 19, 2009
Just curious if there is a connection between the PBS decision in Utah and the blame the Mormons are taking over backing Prop 8 in California.
Yikes | 9:30 a.m. May 19, 2009
Never take your freedom for granted, because it is slowly being siphoned away. For years liberals have been willing to invest their time and money into the agendas they want pushed, and they are doing a fine job at it.

When are we going to do more than waste time on blogs crying about how hard the liberals are working? So easy to blog; so hard to get up and fight. So easy to toss out ideas and hope some brave soul takes on the challenge; much harder to be the brave soul. By far though it is easiest to pretend not to care.
nerves | 9:39 a.m. May 19, 2009
I wonder where this is coming from? I have a hard time believing that after all these years that the people running PBS would all of a sudden go against religious programming like this. There must be strong outside pressure from some source or several sources that make them feel that their business is threatened unless they comply in this way. Does anybody know enough to explain where this might be originating from?
I know the easy answer is left wing, democratic, religion haters, but that sounds a little too simplistic also. It's easy to shove the demon to the front of the line and yell "he did it!" However, things usually aren't truly that easy to explain.
O2bRich | 9:45 a.m. May 19, 2009
I think those that watch KBYU won't miss the PBS programming. The shows mentioned in the article are available elsewhere easy enough.
go ahead | 9:57 a.m. May 19, 2009
Pull the plug on KBYU and my $$ will go to KBYU to support them instead of PBS. I dare you, PBS, go ahead and shoot yourselves in the foot.
The Rock | 9:59 a.m. May 19, 2009
A religion is a belief system that involves a Diety. There are other belief systems that do not involve a Diety. People have political belief systems as well as religious belief systems. These frequently intertwine.
If it is wrong to promote or support one belief system just because it includes God then should it also be wrong to treat any other belief system differently? Why should religion be prohibited and not prohibit athiesism? Athiestims is also a religon for they must BELIEVE, that there is no God.

Many claim their belief system is backed up by science. Athiests site evolution to support their position. Yet, the scientific community drives anyone who doubts evolution out as heritics.

Evolutionists claim that Intelligent Design is not science because it cannot be tested in a laboratory. Evolution postulates that life emerged by itself without intelligent intervention and that was was not designed; yet, every laboratory experiment on evolution was designed and run by intelligent men. Sounds like a test of Intelligent Design to me.

PBS should allow a free exchange of ideas on all topics. Anything else is indoctrination.

KBYU Pays PBS for programming. I doubt they get much federal funding.
Anonymous | 10:02 a.m. May 19, 2009
What?
I've been stiffing | 10:05 a.m. May 19, 2009
. . . PBS/NPR fund drives for years. This just gives makes me more smug about it and gives me another reason for doing so. I guess I'll do without the New Yankee Workshop coffee mug this year, too.
Just Saying | 10:09 a.m. May 19, 2009
Barney, Sesame Street, This Old House may not be socialist however they are hour long commercials. They don't get to apply only one segment of the rule (non-sectarian) and not hit the others (non-commercial and non-partisan). Just making it fair and balanced!
Michaelitos | 10:12 a.m. May 19, 2009
As a long-time fan of PBS (I happen to like Sesame Street and Cyberchase), I am very disappointed with this move. If they claim to be inclusive, wouldn't that include some religious content as well?

As Neal Maxwell said, "if people are not permitted to advocate, to assert, and to bring to bear, in every legitimate way, the opinions and views they hold that grow out of their religious convictions, what manner of men and women would they be, anyway? Our founding fathers did not wish to have a state church established nor to have a particular religion favored by government. They wanted religion to be free to make its own way. But neither did they intend to have irreligion made into a favored state church. Notice the terrible irony if this trend were to continue. When the secular church goes after its heretics, where are the sanctuaries? To what landfalls and Plymouth Rocks can future pilgrims go?"

I don't see the harm mixing Barney with a Church Devotional every now and then. In fact, that might be more in line with what the Founding Fathers had in mind.
bil of wrongs | 10:44 a.m. May 19, 2009
I don't think pbs wants to limit a part of their propaganda machine like pbs. They will continue to broadcast on kbyu. They just want you to think they are changing things.
Anonymous | 10:48 a.m. May 19, 2009
KBYU would be okay ... but not all religions can afford their own programming. What an intolerant move. It's not like anyone's forced to watch religious programs on PBS if they don't want to, so it shouldn't offend anyone that they are there. But, it would be a really bad idea on PBS's part, anyway ... my guess from personal experience is that a lot of their viewership are religious people who like the family-friendliness of the shows.
katamb | 10:57 a.m. May 19, 2009
As a supporter of KBYU only because they have religious programming, this is very upsetting. I would have liked PBS's address and phone number included in the article so I know where to contact them. Obviously they are not in tune with the local culture - if it's not popular nationally it's toast. What a stupid culture we live in!!!!!

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