Quick Takes

UPDATE: WMFE-TV holding out for more lucrative offer

By |

The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that the sale of WMFE-TV in Orlando, in the works for more than a year, has been canceled. “Due to the protracted approval process at the FCC and changes within the broadcast market, WMFE has voluntarily opted out of its current proposed deal to sell WMFE-TV to Community Educators of Orlando, Inc.,” WMFE President Jose Fajardo said in an email to the paper. “WMFE is currently pursuing new options that will prove to be more beneficial to WMFE and to the Central Florida community.” The pending sale, to a local group representing religious broadcaster Daystar, created a scramble for a new primary in the Orlando market last spring (Current, April 18, 2011).UPDATE: Fajardo says the station is opting to await a better offer than the $3 million offered by Daystar. “The market conditions have changed in a favorable way to be able to pursue other options for WMFE,” he tells the Sentinel.

Quick Takes

Kartemquin Films asks indie fans to protest PBS’s move of shows

By |

Kartemquin Films, a nonprofit Chicago production company that’s home to such films as The Interrupters and Hoop Dreams, is asking independent filmmakers and pubmedia fans to sign an open letter to PBS protesting the network’s decision to move indie showcases Independent Lens and P.O.V. from their longtime Tuesday night spot to Thursdays, often used by stations for local programming (Current, March 12, 2012).The letter says that independent films “serve a critical function in the public broadcasting ecology. They serve the democratic mission of public broadcasting.””Public television is not just a popularity contest, or a ratings game,” it says. “Taxpayers support public broadcasting because democracy needs more than commercial media’s business models can provide.  PBS’ programming decision makes a statement about PBS’ commitment to the mission of public broadcasting.”  It concludes: “We are deeply concerned that PBS’ poorly-considered decision could jeopardize both the meeting of public broadcasting’s mission and also stifle the innovation that is crucial to the future of public broadcasting.”UPDATE: Gordon Quinn, artistic director and co-founder of Kartemquin, told Current that as talks at PBS on the future of the two series move forward, “we’d like to be kept in the loop and become part of the discussion.” The independent filmmaking community is “very concerned” about both shows, he said, not only because they carry so much of their work but also because “they are really a vital part of attracting diverse and younger audiences to PBS.”

Quick Takes

Marketplace reporter uncovers fabrications in TAL broadcast on Apple factory

By |

This American Life retracted “Mr. Daisey and the Apple Factory,” its Jan. 6 broadcast that adapted theater monologist Mike Daisey’s stage play about working conditions in Apple manufacturing plants in China. “Daisey lied to me and to This American Life producer Brian Reed during the fact checking we did on the story, before it was broadcast,” said TAL host and creator Ira Glass, in a statement. “That doesn’t excuse the fact that we never should’ve put this on the air. In the end, this was our mistake.”When adapting Daisey’s play, “The Agony and Ecstasy of Steve Jobs,” for broadcast on TAL, producers attempted to confirm key elements of the story, but Daisey refused to provide contact information for the interpreter who helped him research the piece.”At that point, we should’ve killed the story,” Glass said.

Quick Takes

“Women, War and Peace” recognized as “Television with a Conscience”

By |

The PBS miniseries Women, War and Peace is one of seven programs receiving Television Academy Honors. The awards were established by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences to recognize “Television with a Conscience,” the programming that inspires, informs, motivates and has the power to change lives.In the announcement, the Academy said that the five-part Women, War and Peace “challenges the conventional wisdom that war and peace are a man’s domain. Women embroiled in the midst of today’s conflicts bring viewers inside their lives, forever changing the way we look at war.” The programs were produced by Thirteen and Fork Films in association with WNET and ITVS.The fifth-annual honors will be presented May 2 in Beverly Hills.

Quick Takes

CHECK ON LATER

By |

http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/matc-board-shakeup-could-jeopardize-license-for-public-tv-0m4jfnr-142894555.htmlThe entire membership of the MATC Board would turn over almost immediately under the proposal, a move that would jeopardize MATC’s license for its public television stationhttp://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/matc-board-shakeup-could-jeopardize-license-for-public-tv-0m4jeoi-142871005.html

Quick Takes

Thirteen’s Celebration of Teaching & Learning starts today

By |

WNET/Thirteen’s two-day Celebration of Teaching & Learning kicks off today (March 16) in New York City. Some 10,000 educators are expected to participate. It’s the seventh annual event, which this year expands into a global conference, with officials, advocates and experts from around the world tackling pressing issues surrounding education.

Quick Takes

“Saddle Up” host convicted of fraudulent practices, acquitted of two other charges

By |

Dennis Brouse, host of the pubTV show Saddle Up with Dennis Brouse, was convicted of fraudulent practices in Polk County, Iowa, on Thursday (March 15), in connection with a state filmmaking tax-incentive program, according to the Des Moines Register. Brouse, who had been charged in January, also was acquitted on charges of theft and ongoing criminal conduct.Brouse’s Changing Horses Productions had been awarded $9.27 million in tax credits for five projects, but a state audit last year reportedly found discrepancies including $2.18 million in expenditures claimed by Changing Horses paid to companies outside Iowa, which wasn’t allowed, and $1 million in expenses not supported by documentation.Nine individuals were charged in connection with the tax-credit program; Brouse is the seventh convicted. The tax incentives were suspended in September 2009 after state officials discovered several filmmakers were exploiting what the newspaper termed the program’s “liberal rules and lax oversight” to qualify for millions of dollars in tax credits. The paper said Brouse “parlayed Iowa film tax credits into new cars, a ranch and millions in profits.”The newspaper reported the scandal also led to the firings of six persons in the Iowa Department of Economic Development. In October 2009, before he had been charged, Brouse addressed the reported abuses of the tax credit program in a statement on his website.

Quick Takes

Marfa Public Radio plans new service for Odessa

By |

John Barth, managing director of the Public Radio Exchange, dropped in on Marfa Public Radio in Marfa, Texas, and wrote an account of his visit for the PRX blog. The station proved to be a lifeline for listeners after wildfires swept the area last year. Now it’s looking to expand its service vastly as it starts a station in Odessa. Marfa Public Radio’s founder told Barth that he expects the new station will reflect the “conservative, faith-based community” it will serve. You can read more about Marfa Public Radio in this article from Current, published last August.

Independent producers

Independent producers’ open letter to PBS, March 2012

By |

Independent producer Kartemquin Films posted this petition online to arrange more favorable scheduling than Thursday nights for the indie showcases POV and Independent Lens. See also <Current coverage. Taking Action: PBS Needs Independents
March 15, 2012

The following is an open letter to PBS. We encourage all independent filmmakers and fans of public media to join us as signatories by commenting below, or emailing us at [email protected], or tweet #PBSNeedsIndies to us on Twitter. Kartemquin has a long history of supporting public broadcasting, and we feel we must again rise to the challenge in raising our concern, and hopefully awareness and action, over the issues below. As independent filmmakers, as participants in the evolution of public broadcasting, as viewers and as citizens, we protest PBS’ decision to move the two premier strands of independent documentaries, Independent Lens and POV, from their established home on Tuesday nights to Thursday, a night on which local stations program locally-selected material.

Quick Takes

AJR looks at Kinsey Wilson, NPR’s new content chief

By |

American Journalism Review profiles Kinsey Wilson, NPR’s first chief content officer. In his position, Wilson oversees the distribution of all of NPR’s content through its many channels. NPR and its stations have expanded their audience throughout a challenging time of digital disruption to media, which puts the system in ”a position of tremendous strength as we adapt to these technology changes,” says Wilson.The new CCO started out in journalism at Chicago’s City News Bureau: “You got a very quick education in a sort of gritty, boots-on-the-ground neighborhood reporting.” He later went on to get an introduction to digital journalism at Congressional Quarterly in the ’90s. We blogged last month about his promotion at NPR.

Quick Takes

State GOP cancels upcoming debate at Oregon Public Broadcasting

By |

The Oregon Republican Party has canceled the GOP presidential debate that had been scheduled for Monday (March 19) at Oregon Public Broadcasting, the station is reporting. While former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich had accepted the invitation, candidates Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum both declined. The debate would have been a first for a public broadcasting station, with OPB producing and feeding the program to the nation. See the next issue of Current on March 26 for the backstory on how the debate was sanctioned, and the partnership behind the event: OPB, the Oregon Republican Party and the Washington Times newspaper.

Quick Takes

Studio 360’s campaign to rebrand teachers grows into PRI’s first iPad book

By |

Public Radio International has released its first book for the iPad, the Studio 360 Teacher Redesign multi-touch book, available free via the iBookstore. For the last five years, PRI’s culture show Studio 360 with Kurt Andersen, produced at WNYC, has hired graphic design teams to rethink the images of things as diverse as Uncle Sam, the gay-pride flag, the Monopoly board game and Valentine’s Day. Last fall teacher Kate Ahearn of Haverhill, Mass., suggested a revamp of the image of teachers. Studio 360 recruited New York design firm Hyperakt, which created new campaigns to recruit teachers, designed new bathroom signage — even temporary tattoos. The creative process and those visuals are documented in the interactive iPad book.

Quick Takes

County commissioners appear split on supporting WTVI merger to save station

By |

The fate of 47-year-old PBS member station WTVI-TV in Charlotte, N.C., could be decided by Mecklenburg County commissioners next Tuesday (March 20), reports the Charlotte Observer. Commissioners “appear to be split” on support the station needs for a merger with Central Piedmont Community College.At this week’s meeting, commissioner Bill James said he felt WTVI has no chance to succeed, as public broadcasters UNC-TV and SCETV also serve Mecklenburg. Commissioner Karen Bentley said Charlotte is a tough market to support three stations. “I don’t think bringing WTVI to CPCC is going to change that,” she said.Elsie Garner, WTVI executive director, said the station has “by far” more viewers in Mecklenburg than the other two stations, little overlap in programs, and 75 percent of WTVI’s programs are locally produced. “Without WTVI there’d be no local education outreach,” she said.

Quick Takes

“Market Wars” may become “Flea Marketeers”

By |

Looks like the upcoming companion program to Antiques Roadshow (Current, Nov. 7, 2011) might get a new name. Its working title has been Market Wars, but PBS is now asking Facebook fans to vote. An early fave: Flea Marketeers. Catchy!

Quick Takes

Former unpaid intern sues “Charlie Rose,” claims show violated wage laws

By |

A former unpaid intern for pubcasting talk show Charlie Rose has filed a lawsuit against Rose and his production company, the New York Times is reporting. Lucy Bickerton contends New York State wage laws were violated because the show’s interns were not paid. Bickerton and the law firm representing her, Outten & Golden, told the paper they were seeking to bring the lawsuit as a class action on behalf of all unpaid interns working for the show since March 2006. Paul C. Curnin, a lawyer for Charlie Rose Inc., told the Times, “We will review the complaint and respond. We are confident that Charlie Rose Inc.’s employment practices are appropriate.”
RELATED DOCUMENT
Class-action complaint filed in state Supreme Court.

Quick Takes

Maine governor’s supplemental budget once again would zero out pubcasting funding

By |

Maine Gov. Paul LePage has presented lawmakers with a supplemental budget that includes further spending cuts, such as eliminating all support for the Maine Public Broadcasting Network, reports the Bangor Daily News. The move took MPBN President Mark Vogelzang by surprise. In a story on the station’s website, Vogelzang said he has been unsuccessful in attempts to meet with the governor. “MPBN has taken our fair share of cuts in response to the challenges that this state faces,” he said. “But this looks like it’s punitive, it looks like it’s political rather than financial.”Some elements of the supplemental budget, including the zeroing out of MPBN, were initially included in the governor’s biennial budget proposal, but were restored in a subsequent spending plan.

Quick Takes

Development pro Becky Chinn joining Lewis Kennedy Associates as a partner

By |

Becky Chinn, senior director of membership and marketing at Oregon Public Broadcasting, is leaving the station to become a partner with Portland-based Lewis Kennedy Associates, effective May 1. Chinn has worked in fundraising, marketing and communications for more than 20 years, 17 of those at OPB.At LKA, “she will focus her energies on helping clients remain at the leading edge of fundraising and communications while effectively maximizing results,” the firm said in a press release. She joins partner Nova Hamar, and founding partners Helen Kennedy and Jim Lewis at the company, which provides fundraising and direct marketing services to organizations in public broadcasting, healthcare, arts and culture, education, social services and conservation.In her years in the pubcasting system, Chinn served on the PBS Development Advisory Committee, the PBS Funding the Vision Station Advisory Council and the Contributor Development Partnership Advisory Council. Chinn was an original member of the PBS Leadership Development Program, a master teacher for PBS Membership and Pledge Academies, and has presented numerous sessions at national conferences.UPDATE: In a memo to OPB staff, Dan Metziga, s.v.p., development and marketing, named Paul Loofburrow, marketing manager, as the new director of marketing. Metziga announced Chinn’s departure “with great sadness,” and added that Chinn “excelled” in her various positions at the station.

Quick Takes

Romney won’t be at OPB debate, his campaign confirms

By |

Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney has pulled out of the debate this coming Monday (March 19) at Oregon Public Broadcasting, the network has announced. The debate sponsors — OPB, the Oregon Republican Party and the Washington Times — said that a Romney campaign aide confirmed the candidate will be in Illinois on March 19, the eve of that state’s primary. Organizers are still talking with the other candidates. The only confirmed debate participant so far is former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. The debate, which would be the first produced at a public broadcasting station, was sanctioned by the Republican National Committee in October 2011.

Programs/Content

Suspects charged in connection with 2011 cyberattacks on PBS, other entities

By |

Five suspects, considered among the “most sophisticated hackers in the world” by authorities, were arrested and charged Tuesday (March 6) in Manhattan federal court with conspiracy in connection with computer attacks last year against PBS, Fox Broadcasting Co. and Sony Pictures Entertainment, reports CNN. A sixth suspect pleaded guilty in August to computer hacking and other crimes and has been cooperating with government investigators. On May 29, 2011, techs at PBS.org as well as the NewsHour and Frontline websites spent hours regaining control during the cyberattack (Current, June 13, 2011). The hack exposed contact information for hundreds of PBS staffers, stations, producers and press, as well as several internal PBS databases.

People

Mundt to NPR, APM lays off Alvarado, Pulitzer-winning cartoonist joins WHYY, and more…

By |

NPR has hired Todd Mundt as editorial director for NPR Digital Services
In his new position, Mundt will help stations develop digital content strategies and oversee news training offered to them. He now serves as v.p. and chief content officer at Louisville Public Media in Kentucky, p.d. of the licensee’s news/talk station and its local host for Morning Edition. Before joining Louisville’s three-station complex, he was director of content and media at Iowa Public Radio, chief content officer for Michigan Public Media in Ann Arbor and host of an NPR-distributed talk program, The Todd Mundt Show. Mundt is chair of the Public Radio Program Directors Association and has served on the Public Media Platform advisory council. Bob Kempf, g.m. of the Boston-based NPR unit, said the hiring completes the Digital Services management team, which also includes Stephanie Miller, director of station relations; Steve Mulder, director of user experience and analytics; Doug Gaff, director of technology; and Keith Hopper, director of product development.