vision2020
ACLU requests input
I am forwarding this message from Liz Brandt at her request.
I think it would be of interest to anyone who cares about the future of
programming on Idaho Public Television.
BL
--------------
>Bill -- Here is the update on the iptv issues that I just spoke to you
>about. I appreciate you posting it to the vision 2020 list. My
>understanding is that the State Board of Education will be meeting in Boise
>on Thursday, July 6.
>
>Liz Brandt
>
>>Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2000 13:29:31 -0600
>>From: ACLU of Idaho <acluid@micron.net>
>>X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.7 [en]C-{C-UDP; MICRON} (Win95; I)
>>X-Accept-Language: en
>>To: acluid@micron.net
>>Subject: update on iptv & urgent need for calls/emails to state bd of ed.
>>
>>This IMPORTANT "CALL TO ACTION" includes a report of the recent State
>>Board
>>of Education meeting regarding the controversy surrounding Idaho public
>>television. Contact the ACLU office at 344-5243 for a copy of the two
>>proposals offered at the Board meeting.
>>
>>THE PROBLEM
>>Idaho's State Board of Eduction is preparing to limit what they call
>>"controversial" (or is it just gay-themed?) programming on Idaho Public
>>Television (IPTV).
>>
>>ACTION NEEDED
>>Contact members of the State Board of Education and let them know you
>>oppose legislative censorship of public television programming! Let
>>them know the selection process for public television programs must be
>>free of political influence!
>>
>>E-mail: board@osbe.state.id.us
>>Phone: (208) 334-2270
>>
>>Please address your comments to all members of the State Board of
>>Education:
>>
>>Tom Boyd (President) - Genesee, Harold Davis - Idaho Falls, Curtis Eaton
>>-
>>Twin Falls, James Hammond (Secretary) - Post Falls, Severina Sam Haws -
>>Boise, Karen McGee (Vice-President) - Pocatello, Rod Lewis - Boise, and
>>Dr.
>>Marilyn Howard - Superintendent of Public Instruction
>>
>>IMPORTANT NOTE: If you know anyone who might have special influence with
>>any of the board members (due to their being personally acquainted, or
>>due to their reputation, credentials, etc., please call the ACLU and
>>advise Jack of this fact, and give him contact information for them. He
>>would like to provide them more information for their personal contact
>>with particular state board of ed. members.
>>
>>RECENT BACKGROUND: On Thursday, June 15, the Idaho Board of Education
>>met and considered two proposals that would, so proponents suggest, help
>>IPTV comply with the "legislative intent" language that accompanied the
>>Idaho
>>legislature's 2000 appropriation approved last March.
>>
>>IPTV's programmng decisions today reflect editorial standards of
>>fairness,
>>accuracy, objectivity, and balance as well as courage and controversy
>>(these standards are in writing, and accepted by both the national
>>public
>>broadcasting system and state public tv stations across the nation).
>>
>>BUT BOTH OF THESE PROPOSALS OF MEMBERS OF IDAHO'S BOARD OF EDUCATION ARE
>>SERIOUSLY FLAWED IN TERMS OF RESPECTING THE RIGHTS OF IDAHO PUBLIC
>>TELEVISION TO SELECT PROGRAMMING BASED ON CRITERIA DEVOID OF POLITICAL
>>BIAS.
>>
>>FURTHER BACKGROUND: In Idaho, public television has been under attack
>>since
>>last year due to the airing of the program "It's Elementary: Talking
>>About
>>Gay Issues in School," a program that promotes respect for everyone, no
>>matter their sexual orientation. Two weeks ago, public TV aired a
>>documentary about children of gay & lesbian parents called "Our House"
>>which has renewed the ongoing debate about programming guidelines for
>>public TV.
>>
>>Key opponents of these documentaries have been far right legislators,
>>the
>>Idaho Christian Coalition & Idaho Family Forum.
>>
>>Due to the airing of "It's Elementary", the Idaho Legislature passed a
>>bill
>>earlier this year that directs the State Board of Education (which
>>oversees
>>Idaho Public Television) to prevent broadcast of any program "which
>>promotes, supports, or encourages violation of the Idaho criminal
>>statutes." It also stated that "controversial" programming would be
>>"monitored" and listed categories that would be IPTV's "highest
>>priority."
>>
>>All of this controversy surrounds TWO programs that portray gay and
>>lesbian
>>people and their families as human beings and regular citizens.
>>
>>Please contact members of the State Board of Education today - they
>>will
>>soon be meeting to decide programming guidelines for public television.
>>
>>Stand up for free speech - stand up for gays & lesbians in Idaho and
>>urge
>>board members to protect programming on public TV!
>>
>>For more information: Contact the ACLU of Idaho at acluid@micron.net or
>>(ph) 344-5243.
>
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