PBS bans new religious programming

[malachi3]

weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/faith/2009/06/pbs_bans_new_religious_program.html

 

[North_of_Nod]

Awwww, I really liked PBS. It seems that even they have succumbed to the secular mentality.

 

[Dale_M]

We knew that *Mass for Shut-ins * had been threatened in a couple cities. I am glad that the program was saved.

The vote by PBS’s board was a compromise from a proposed ban on all religious programming. Such a ban would have forced a few stations around the country to give up their PBS affiliation if they continued to broadcast local church services and religious lectures.

Until now, PBS stations have been required to present programming that is noncommercial, nonpartisan and nonsectarian. But the definition of “nonsectarian” programming was always loosely interpreted, and the rule had never been strictly enforced. PBS began reviewing the definition and application of those rules last year in light of the transition to digital TV and with many stations streaming programs over their Web sites. The definition doesn’t cover journalistic programs about religion or discussion programs that don’t favor a particular religious point of view.

The vote at PBS’s headquarters in Arlington was good news for five PBS member stations that carry religious programs. Among them are KBYU in Salt Lake City, which is operated by an affiliate of the Mormon Church; KMBH in Harlingen, Tex., operated by the local Catholic diocese; and WLAE in New Orleans, operated by a Catholic lay organization.

The vote also means that WHUT, operated by Howard University in the District, won’t be required to drop its telecasts of “Mass for Shut-Ins,” a weekly Catholic Mass that has aired on the station since 1996 and locally in Washington for more than 50 years.

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/16/AR2009061603201.html

The decision could have been worse. I think it is a good compromise.

 

[Digitonomy]

The vote also means that WHUT, operated by Howard University in the District, won’t be required to drop its telecasts of “Mass for Shut-Ins,” a weekly Catholic Mass that has aired on the station since 1996 and locally in Washington for more than 50 years.

What a second, the OP’s link says

The decision does not appear to affect Maryland Public Television; as we read the MPT schedule, we don’t see programming of the sort to be impacted. But as Farhi writes, the discussion spurred the Archdiocese of Washington to move its longtime “Mass for Shut-Ins” from PBS member WHUT Channel 32 in the District to WDCW Channel 50, a CW affiliate owned by the Baltimore Sun parent Tribune Co.

What’s the real deal on where “Mass for Shut-Ins” will be in DC?

 

[puzzleannie]

the Diocese of Brownsville operates our local PBS and NPR affiliates and this ruling permits them to continue broadcasting current religious programming
themonitor.com/articles/programming-27736-allows-religious.html

 

[cyberwolf001]

Well this sucks, bloody atheists…

 

[Sr_Sally]

What a second, the OP’s link saysWhat’s the real deal on where “Mass for Shut-Ins” will be in DC?

From the Archdiocese website:

Sunday TV Mass is Moving to a New Channel and Time

June 10, 2009

The Sunday TV Mass, on air for over 55 years in the Washington metropolitan area, is moving to a new channel and time starting July 5, 2009. The Mass, which has been airing on WHUT-32 at 8:30 a.m., is moving to WDCW (“The CW”), where it will air on Sundays from 10:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

This spring, WHUT, a public television station, announced that it would no longer carry the Mass after July. The Mass, which is produced by the Archdiocese of Washington and the Diocese of Arlington, has aired on WHUT for the past 13 years. To assist viewers in making the transition to a new station, the Mass will air on both WHUT and WDCW during July.

“We have had a great relationship with WHUT for many years, and are sorry to leave the channel,” said Susan Gibbs, director of communications for the Archdiocese of Washington. “At the same time, this is a wonderful opportunity to offer the Sunday TV Mass on a larger outlet and at a time that is more convenient to many of our viewers.”

“The Sunday TV Mass allows for those who are homebound to spiritually participate in the Catholic Mass. It is our hope that this station change will result in providing even more people with access to the televised Mass, especially those who are suffering and who may feel isolated,” said Joelle Santolla, director of communications for the Diocese of Arlington.

The Sunday TV Mass is one of the oldest in the nation and has aired in the Washington metropolitan area for 56 years. Over the years, it has become popular not only with the homebound, but with other Catholics who watch while getting ready for church and even among non-Catholics.

The Mass is videotaped in the Crypt Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. The priests, parish choirs, lectors, congregation and other participants come from local parishes in Washington, DC; suburban and southern Maryland; and northern Virginia.

For information about the TV Mass or how to attend a taping, please check online or contact the Archdiocese of Washington’s Office of Communications at 301-853-4517 or communications@adw.org.

 

[Oreoracle]

Well this sucks, bloody atheists…

Ah yes, the world is ruled by a council of conniving atheists that sit in the shade of their offices cackling and stroking their felines as they watch their scheme to produce a global utopia of tolerance unfold. It’s just too much to bear!

 

[K-McD]

This is not true. They will continue to view the doctrine of the divine obama. the most merciful obama.

 

[SamH]

Ah yes, the world is ruled by a council of conniving atheists that sit in the shade of their offices cackling and stroking their felines as they watch their scheme to produce a global utopia of tolerance unfold. It’s just too much to bear!

Maybe not the world - just PBS. Apparently their global utopia of tolerance does not extend to tolerance of religon.

 

[Dale_M]

Maybe not the world - just PBS. Apparently their global utopia of tolerance does not extend to tolerance of religon.

However, the compromise decision does show tolerance of religion. It didn’t force removal of the religious programming which currently exists.

Really, it was a more accommodating decision than I expected. PBS is government funded agency, and government money shouldn’t be going towards religious programming. I doubt that the local PBS stations are charging to air the current programs, which means that the government is underwriting the cost of airing them.

 

[roanoker]

Gotta love them liberals. They’re all alike. PBS has always had an anti-religion slant, especially towards Christians. Roanoker