No New God TV Programs on PBS....Thank you God...

[monmouth]

By Paul Farhi
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 17, 2009

The Public Broadcasting Service agreed yesterday to ban its member stations from airing new religious TV programs, but permitted the handful of stations that already carry "sectarian" shows to continue doing so.

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


For the rest of the article go to: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/16/AR2009061603201.html?hpid=topnews

[texastoast]

1. So can we still have religious history programming?

I love watching the history of development of belief systems.

[monmouth]

2. I like that too and catch most shows like that on the History Channel.

I also like those "The history of sex"...That is a real hoot...

[BOSSHOG]

3. An article in the New Orleans Times-Picayune this week

indicates the local PBS station may stop broadcasting live Sunday Mass from St Louis Cathedral. I'm not sure what my opinion on this move is. My grandmother was a shut in and the Mass on TV was very comforting to her.

[monmouth]

4. If they drop one, then they should drop them all. TV Mass is very

important to shut ins, I hope that doesn't happen..

[BOSSHOG]

5. In today's T-P edition

it states the PBS station will continue to broadcast sunday Mass live. Haven't read it yet but saw the headline.