CENSORED: "Palestine Is Still The Issue"

KQED, Inc.
2601 Mariposa Street

San Francisco, CA 94110-1426

The COMMUNITY has spoken. Is KQED listening? Does KQED care?

Chairman of the Board	James Canales	[email protected]	415-553-2205 (c/o M.Berry)
Chairman of the Board (Secondary contact)	James Canales	[email protected]
President and CEO	Jeff Clarke	[email protected]	415-553-2301
President and CEO (Secondary contact)	Jeff Clarke	[email protected]	415-553-2301
Executive VP & Chief Content Officer	John Boland	[email protected]	415-553-2820
VP & Station Manager	DeAnne Hamilton	[email protected]	415-553-2294
General Counsel & Corporate Secretary	Margaret Berry	[email protected]	415-553-2205
VP & KQED Interactive Educational Services	Richard Winefield	[email protected]	UNKNOWN
Program Director	Scott Dwyer	[email protected]	415-553-2218
Community Advisory Panel	Patricia Evans	[email protected]	415-553-2216
VP of Marketing	Donald Derheim	[email protected]	415-553-2178
KQED Spokesperson	Anne Wintroub	[email protected]	415-553-2145
UNKNOWN	R. Ramirez	[email protected]	UNKNOWN
UNKNOWN	J. Wallace	[email protected]	UNKNOWN

KQED provides the people of Northern California with consistently high-quality, noncommercial media that inform, educate and entertain.

Through the Creation and acquisition of programs, the leveraging of our multiple media assets, and strategic partnerships, KQED delivers television, radio and Internet content that makes people think, feel and explore new ideas.

Our programming and services reflect the value we place on human dignity, lifelong learning, the power of ideas and the importance of community service and civic participation.

KQED

The Board of Directors of KQED, Inc. ("KQED") has determined that it is in the best interests of KQED to establish a Community Advisory Panel (CAP) broadly representative of the communities served by KQED. The purpose of the CAP shall be to ascertain and advise the Board of Directors of KQED’s effectiveness in meeting the specialized educational and cultural needs of the communities it serves. The CAP shall also participate in community relations activities in conjunction with the Board of Directors. Said ascertainment, advice and community relations may be accomplished by reviewing programming goals and services provided by KQED and by organizing and participating in various activities such as forums, speaker bureaus, committee assignments, and other activities.

In 1999 KQED launched its Independent Initiative. The Initiative is the concrete expression of KQED’s commitment to help bring Independent work to public television, and to collaborate with the local independent film and video community. The Initiative is a response to the demand of the public for new film, to the needs of local producers of independent films and to KQED’s commitment to provide exciting, compelling programming.

To help guide and participate in this effort, KQED created the Independent Advisory Panel, made up of local filmmakers and media arts organizations. The Panel has had a tremendous impact on KQED’s efforts to support independent film, and continues to work with KQED to pursue and foster further collaboration.

June 29, 2003

Dear Mr. Clarke:

It is my understanding that you are considering airing the following documentary:

"Palestine Is Still The Issue" by John Pilger.

I believe it would be in the best interest of your community, as well as in conformance with your mission to air this on local broadcast media. It has been aired in many locals, but in a manner inaccessible to most of your viewers.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

David Fielder

Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2003 14:25:54 -0700 (PDT)
From: Adrian
Subject: Please show "Palestine is Still the Issue"!
To: [email protected]

Dear John,

I am writing to request that KQED please air John Pilger's "Palestine is Still the issue". Ever since this documentary aired in England last year, I have tried to get my hands on a copy so I can see it for myself. From what I've heard about its reception in England, this is the type of program that is desperately needed on American television: well researched and critical of the received wisdom and our government's foreign policy.

Documentaries such as this, unseen on American television, provide a critical perspective which is the bedrock of democratic self-government: All too often, our mass media, including out publicly owned media, self-censor and therefore deny the public exposure to critically important, albeit unpopular viewpoints. Because of your abdication of your responsibility to American democracy, the American public is unable make critical and informed decisions with regards to the vital issues of our times.

American television's wholesale capitulation to our government's lies during the recent Iraq war is, of course, the most important recent example of this.

But the issue of Israel/Palestine must top the list of the most thoroughly censored and regularly distorted news items in modern American history. (Compare Middle East coverage and analysis in ANY major American newspaper or television channel to ANY major newspaper or television channel IN THE WORLD INCLUDING ISRAEL to understand the depth of American self-censorship.) And the debilitating effect of this distortion can be measured - in the shocked faces of millions of Americans who, after the tragedy of September 11, asked "But why do they hate us?"

The American news media, yourselves included, should be ashamed that so many millions of Americans had to ask this simple question. Because practically everyone else in the world CAN answer it (quite easily), it points out your failure to do your job. But even this late in the day, there is still a chance to improve this bleak situation. Please air (to start) John Pilger's Palestine is Still the Issue. Please stand on your principles for what you know to be in the interests of critically informed democratic self-government, and against the well-heeled, powerful special interest groups who work endlessly to keep the American public in the dark. So much of our nation's future is in your hands. Please make what you know in your heart to be the right decision.

Thank you very much,

Adrian

P.S. I write this letter as someone who used to work for the very same organizations who will lobby you not to show this documentary. So I too had to make the same decision that I am now asking you to make.

Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2003 06:34:04 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: KQED video decision
To: [email protected]

Mr. Boland,

I am a subscriber/contributor to KQED and a big fan of public radio and TV. I have heard from a friend that you are considering showing "Palestine Is Still The Issue". While I understand how this could be controversial, I believe that is exactly why you should show it. I contribute to public broadcasting exactly for that reason - I, like others who contribute and watch or listen, count on you to bring us the news that the other media won't.

I do not feel preference for either the Israelis or the Palestinians, but I do support a fair and peaceful settlement. However, I also support a more balanced approach in American policy and news coverage, both of which favor Israel, in my opinion. I'd like to know more from the other side of the dispute so that I may be better informed.

Thank you.

Dayne

Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2003 08:43:58 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Yes for Pilger's "Palestine is Still the Issue"
To: [email protected], [email protected]

Dear John and Scott,

I am an avid viewer of KQED. I don't have cable because I feel it is just hundreds of channels of mainly garbage and advertising. If it wasn't for stations like KQED, I wouldn't even have a TV. I least I can turn to channel 9 for quality, thought provoking information. I especially like California Connected. Keep up the great work on programming!

There is another thought provoking film that I hope you consider to air -- "Palestine is Still the Issue" by John Pilger. This independent film will allow viewers to hear from Israeli officials as well as the experiences of ordinary Israelis and Palestinians. This type of film contributes to a greater understanding of the Palestine / Israel debate by introducing information seldom provided through mainstream media outlets -- that's why KQED is the perfect station to air such a timely film.

Already I've shown this to my large circle of friends (many KQED viewers) and many comment, "has anyone contacted KQED about this?" I hope you consider bringing such an important topic to the Bay Area, an audience that is hungry for such information .... I know you'll get many viewers.

Sincerely,

Sonya

July 7, 2003

KQED

Mr. John Boland, Chief Content Officer

2601 Mariposa

San Francisco, CA 94410

Dear Mr. Boland:

I thought I would never see the day of media censorship by the major networks and newspapers pressured and influenced by special interest groups, the major corporations and by our government’s policies. What’s left? Public Television and National Public Radio. However, this media too is being influenced.

As a retiree, I have the luxury of reading several newspapers from others countries on the Internet. In fact, I learn more about the Middle East situation from Israel’s Ha’aretz than our own newspapers. This is most unfortunate. I no longer trust our major news media to give honest balanced reporting.

Recently, World Link TV News aired on Direct TV John Pilger’s controversy film "Palestine Is Still The Issue". There is hope.

Unfortunately we do not have Satellite TV and missed this important documentary. I am aware that KQED is considering airing this film. I understand that certain interests have a mission to stop KQED from airing this important film. In fairness to the American Public, I think KQED has an obligation to show this film and put politics and special interest groups aside.

The United States has only a few voices left to inform main steam Americans with

objective reporting. I look to KQED to be one of those voices. If we, as a country, have to sacrifice our freedom of speech because of special interest groups and our government’s foreign polices, then I am afraid, we have lost what’s most precious to Americans, the democratic principles upon which our country was founded.

I implore you to air John Pilger’s film – "Palestine Is Still The Issue.

Respectfully,

Biagio

July 8, 2003

TO: KQED

I urge KQED you to air "Palestine is Still the Issue." This film has been shown
both in Britain on the BBC and in New Zealand and was found by an independent commission to be factual. If Americans in general and Bay Area residents in particular are to get a true sense of what is happening in Israel and the Occupied Territories they must get accurate information and this film more than serves that purpose.

Jan

July 8, 2003

Dear John and Scott,

I am writing to encourage you to air John Pilger's film, "Palestine Is Still the Issue." I live in Oakland and work as a volunteer to support a nonviolent/peaceful resolution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. As you can imagine, this is difficult work. What has made it especially challenging here in my own country is the lack of understanding among Americans about the historical/political/religious/racial/legal context of the conflict. I take myself as an example: although I am well-educated with a Masters in Public Policy and a long history of social service work, I myself held a distorted and incomplete understanding of the roots and current status of the situation.

Most of my assumptions grew from Leon Uris's "Exodus," loyalty to Jewish friends and Holocaust survivors, and mainstream media reporting. After spending time in the region, I have had to face my misunderstandings and prejudices. Although there is nothing like witnessing reality with your own eyes, John Pilger does an excellent job of helping people who have not been to the region to better understand the actual circumstances under which people are living. His work has been scrutinized for accuracy and found to be well researched and complete. Admittedly, what you see in the film is difficult to believe – unless you have been there. From the perspective of those caught up in the destruction and despair of this conflict, it is important and meaningful that their stories be told and that the isolation be lifted.

From the perspective of my own needs, I believe that my work toward peace would be greatly facilitated by better educating the American public. The hopeful part for me is that the US is uniquely situated to make positive strides toward resolving this decades-long struggle. With an informed and resolved public, we can appropriately encourage our leadership to make the needed contribution toward peace.

Thank you for your consideration and patience with this long-winded
appeal. Please do let me know of your final decision.

Best regards, Jennifer

July 8, 2003

Dear Scott,

I believe I may have contacted you before about showing my documentary "Truth: Exposing Israeli Apartheid", which I must admit is an amateur effort but has been very well received none-the-less by fellow Americans totally hungry for the truth.

Please check out my website: www.exposingisraeliapartheid.com

You will find more info about it and several of the many testimonials I have received from viewers, just a sampling of the people's comments who have purchased my video from 45 US states and 7 foreign countries. Although my documentary is amateur, since I am just learning the ropes, John Pilgers' film "Palestine is Still the Issue" is very high quality in every single way.

I urge you to broadcast this extremely important documentary that is focussed on the most important issue of our time, namely the Palestine-Israel conflict.

Americans need to learn the truth about how their tax dollars are being spent in Israel.

Sincerely,

Wendy

July 9, 2003

Subject: Palestine Is Still The Issue

Dear Mr. Boland & Mr. Dwyer:

I have been informed of the screening copy you received of Palestine Is Still The Issue on July 1st. It is also my understanding that there are questions regarding the airing of this documentary. I strongly urge you, as a public service, to air all information on the middle-east topic as soon as possible.

Our nation remains on the brink of critical decisions affecting millions of people, including all citizens of the U.S. It is becoming increasing apparent that our current administration has suppressed freedom of speech in the corporate media. I view this as an extremely dangerous tide threatening our basic principles as well as our national security. The truth must be spoken. Since no one seems to know the truth, it is imperative that information be presented to the public in order for We...The People to make educated decisions as we move forward. Any and all information can be presented with the caveat that it is documentary evidence based upon a particular viewpoint. It remains an individuals right to accept or deny the evidence
presented.

As a Public Service broadcasting station you have a responsibility to present all information available. KQED is supported by the people and for the people...that must sound familiar.

Thank you for your time and I trust you will give this serious consideration. If we cannot trust our Public Service media, then we cannot support them either.

Sincerely,

Wayne

July 10, 2003

TO: John Boland, Chief Content Officer, KQED
Scott Dwyer, Program Director, KQED

Dear Sirs,

I am writing to appeal to you to air the documentary "Palestine Is Still The Issue" by John Pilger of which, I have been told, you have a screening copy.

I recently saw the academy award winning movie "The Pianist". In the movie the Nazi Germans create a German-only road through occupied Warsaw where the Jews must wait for long periods of time for relatively few Germans to pass. This racist behavior (in the name of "security") is being wrought on the Palestinians by the Israelis in present-day Palestine and documented for everyone to see in this film. It was a shock to me that this is going on right under my nose.

I realize that this film does not have anything good to say about the Israeli side of the conflict so I would not be upset if you felt that you needed to air some kind of "rebuttal" programming to balance the tone. I personally would prefer to see two separate shows from each camp than a single "fair" show. I simply don't trust "fair" programming where the opinions are pre-digested and presented to me.

Case in point: A few years back, I viewed a program on KQED that documented the effects of genetic engineering on the world. Forgive me but I've forgotten the name of the show (It was probably Nova). After viewing the program I considered the case for genetic engineering almost a wash. On the one side there is genetically engineered items that have problems on the other side you have chemicals and toxins that cause other problems. It was a "fair" program. However, after viewing numerous "commercials" on your station for Archer Daniels Midland (ADM "Supermarket to the world"), it occurs to me that maybe I can't trust this "fair" programming. Do you see my point? When I get pre-digested programming I still have to do research to find out which side is true (or maybe it really IS a wash....but I can't be sure until I've checked).

I feel strongly about the Palestine issue and I think that "biased" programming will get us nowhere. Will "fair" programming viewers will throw up their arms and say, "Well, I guess there really is no solution to this middle east problem". I think it is ime to hear clearly from both sides and let people make up their own minds. In my case, I think this film spells out the solution for that inscrutable middle east problem quite nicely.

James

July 10, 2003

Dear Mr. Boland:

I urge you – I implore you – to show John Pilger’s excellent film, "Palestine is Still The Issue." If our democracy is to be healthy and vibrant it is imperative that the American public be an educated public. The crucial situation in the Middle East demands that the public be fully informed about the Palestinian situation, however unpalatable it is. It is the moral obligation of the media, especially our public media, to have the courage to present the public with full, accurate information.

As one who has been to Palestine/Israel several times in the last 50 years, I have been appalled at the way the conflict is being portrayed in theUS media. How sad that Americans have to turn to sources outside of our country to fully understand what’s happening in the Middle East.

John Pilger is well known for his accurate reporting. "Palestine is Still the Issue" has been reviewed frequently and commended for being unbiased. Significantly, the Independent Television Commission in England reviewed the film for all of 3 months and praised it for its accuracy. The Commission, also, especially applauded the film for its use of Israeli sources.

By courageously refusing to suppress the Palestinian side of the Middle East conflict, KQED can be a leader in bringing about more unbiased reporting.

Our democracy needs you. I hope you will accept the challenge.

Sincerely,

Edith

July 10, 2003

To:

John Boland, Chief Content Officer, KQED

Scott Dwyer, Program Director, KQED

Dear Sirs,

It is my understanding that you have been asked to show the documentary film produced by John Pilger, "Palestine is Still the Issue" and that you are now in possession of a screening copy for your review. I also understand that you have resisted showing the film for reasons unexplained. My question to you is thus .... why would you not show this film ??

I have seen this exemplarily documentary and do not understand why Public Broadcasting and network TV are not fighting over the rights to show this film. It is insightful, dares to question what this country has for far too long made an untouchable subject - the atrocities and brutal occupation of the Palestinian people and their lands by the Israeli military. KQED has shown many films regarding the Jewish holocaust at the hands of the Nazi regime - a truly horrific event which occurred in part by the worlds' ambivalence. This dark chapter in the history of our humanity needs to be told over and over again so that future generations learn from our past failures. Likewise, when similar atrocities are being committed today, it is our responsibility to speak out and stop it before it's too late, such was the case of the Jewish Holocaust and the massacres in Rwanda...when the world acted, it was far too late.

The Palestinian repression is beginning not unlike the Nazi repression of the Jews in the 1930's and in many ways, has progressed beyond simple denial of rights to outright killing, destruction of homes and theft of property. John Pilgers' film depicts these events in a very unbiased, factual and professional manner. This is a film the American public needs to see after all the years of being fed lies and half-truths about what the real situation is in the Occupied Territories. I hope you don't cower away from showing this film because you feel it may be "too controversial". Of course it's controversial ... it's supposed to be ! It is challenging years of myth in the media and will offend some staunch supporters of Israel who believe that God has promised them that land (Zionism) 2,000 years ago and all the indigenous peoples who lived there for the last few thousand years have got to go (unless you are Jewish) ! Well, if you offend those believes, then you are doing the right thing. There was a time when PBS was not afraid to broadcast such programming. I hope you regain some of that courage that has made PBS the exemplary information source that it was in it's earlier years.

Bruce

July 10, 2003

Dear Sirs,

"Palestine is Still An Isuue" by John Pilger is an Emmy Award winning documentary. As CCO and Program Director I urge you to please approve and air this outstanding documentary as soon as possible. This will be a testimony to KQED/PBS to show to the people that indeed KQED is a public station.

It has been reviewed by many and found to be without bias. The most significant finding was by the "Independent Television Commission" in England.

A documentary of this stature done so candidly and without bias will be an honest education and service to the people of Bay Area.

Thanks In Anticipation

Athar

July 15, 2003

Dear John Boland:

First, I want to thank KQED for being interested in the video, "Palestine Is Still The Issue." I heard that KQED has officially acknowledged that the program department has received the "screening copy" of "Palestine Is Still The Issue" and I am thrilled to know that.

On this critical time about peace talk between Israel and Palestine state, I believe that it's very important that public would have to be informed the crucial information which is hardly revealed in public.

I've been always interested in the issue between Israel and Palestine. The resources and information that I had received about that issue were from news paper or TV. I had been influenced with the perspective that news paper and TV have. When I watched the video, I was exposed to a different perspective that I had never been informed from news and it helped me understand the issue profoundly.

Yes, indeed, we can never tell how public response would be like when they see the video, "Palestine Is Still The Issue." However, what I believe is that people have to be exposed to various kind of information and perspective to be close to the truth of what is going on in a particular situation so that we will be able to avoid to have biased opinion.

Therefore, I believe that the video could provide the tremendous opportunity for public to touch the one truth from one perspective and it could be the huge asset for people who are seeking and interested in knowing what is happening in Middle East.

Thank you so much for giving me this chance to send you email and again, I would be very appreciated if KQED would air the video, "Palestine Is Still The Issue" and show one truth to the public.

Emiko

July 15, 2003

Subject: Please air the John Pilger Program

To: Scott Dwyer, Program Director

Dear Mr. Dwyer,

My family and I are long time supporters of KQED, in large part because KQED
provides alternative information on controversial subjects. I feel that getting
different views on the important issue of Palestine is one of the best services
your station can do for the public. Please be fair and let Pilger air.

Thank you.

Andrew

July 15, 2003

Dear Mr Dwyer and Mr Boland:

I've just been made aware that the forces that be at jcrc.org have launched an all
out attack at John Pilger's documentary; Palestine is Still the Issue.

Please be assured that your viewers are intelligent enough to make up their own minds regarding the truthfulness of this documentary. The people who watch KQED are not the same people who tune into mindless television and get their information from two-minute sound bites! This is of course, I believe, why the opposition to this documentary is so up in arms - they realize that an honest documentary will counter all the biased pro-Zionist 'information' we're forced fed in so much of the mass media.

Again, I strongly urge you to do the right and honorable thing and air this program!
To do otherwise would be to betray your viewers, to betray your charter and to succumb to the pressures of a powerful minority who seek to keep the truth from being aired.

Thank you for your consideration!

Most respectfully yours,

Heinz

July 15, 2003

Dear Mr. Boland and Mr. Dwyer,

I understand that the Jewish Community Relations Council has mounted an e-mail campaign to dissuade KQED from showing "Palestine is Still the Issue." I do not know whether or not anyone from the JCRC has seen the video but I do know that organizations such as the JCRC routinely work to prevent any criticism of Israel, no matter how slight, from appearing in the media.

As a Jew, with relatives in Israel, I know that there will never be peace between the Jews and the Arabs as long as the brutal and illegal occupation continues. And there can be no steps toward peace until there is also knowledge.

I am forwarding this article written by John Pilger in 2002 in response to efforts by Britain's organized Jewish community to censor the film. BBC, to its credit, and New Zealand television had the courage to air "Palestine is Still the Issue." I hope that KQED will show that same courage.

Jan

July 16, 2003

To: John Boland and Scott Dwyer

John Pilger, an award winning journalist and filmmaker, is well known for his dedication to social justice and his accurate, courageous, reporting. His latest documentary about Palestine, "Palestine is Still the Issue", has been reviewed frequently and found to be without bias. After the documentary came under fire in England, the Independent Television Commission studied it for three months and rejected all of the complaints against it. The ITC praised the film’s "journalistic integrity" and "the care and thoroughness with which (the film) was researched". It commended the "comprehensiveness and authority" of the film’s sources, especially since many of them were Israeli sources.

The documentary’s historical advisor, the distinguished Israeli historian, Professor Ilan Pappe’, described the film as "faultless in its historical description and poignant in its message". According to Pilger, "Every word and frame was subject to a legal examination for accuracy and to ensure it complied with the fairness regulations in the (British) Broadcasting Act".

Pilger’s message about Israeli injustices to Palestinians seems to be supported by the recent granting of asylum to an Israeli Arab man by the 9^th Circuit Court of Appeals, a federal court in San Francisco. (See enclosed Ha’aretz article).

Pilger’s documentary, clearly a valid representation of the Palestinian situation, is aired in countries around the world. It is unconscionable for it to be with held from Americans by a public channel like KQED. The fact that it is unpalatable to some viewers is no excuse.

People who object to the film could be offered equal airtime to present their version of the history. The film could be followed by a discussion with competent leaders from both sides and opportunity for viewers to call in.

Judging from the flood of calls KQED is getting, there is undoubtedly considerable interest in the issue. Certainly, such a program would be very stimulating and highly informative. How much better to let the public hear both sides and come to their own conclusions than to present them with only one side. In a Federal Communications Commission hearing a few days ago, Senator Barbara Boxer decried restricted media, vehemently asserting the value of "hue and cry, hue and cry" and healthy debate.

"Palestine is Still the Issue" has been aired on satellite television by WorldLink TV. I urge you to follow their lead and show it on KQED.

July 17, 2003

Dear Mr. Boland and Mr. Dwyer:

I just heard that you have been reviewing the documentary on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict called "Palestine Is Still the Issue."

I would like to say that I saw the documentary a couple of days ago and I thought that John Pilger did a great job in analyzing the issue and reflecting the views and feelings of the people involved in the conflict. I thought his interviews were great, shedding light on the frustrations on the part of the Palestinians and the Israelis alike.

I think it is important that our public television stations air this kind of documentaries to inform the public of the complexity of the conflict and the facts on the ground as opposed to what the leaders of the parties say or what the media in general portray.

I encourage you and other KQED program committee members to air this documentary. It will be a great service to the public. It is informative, it is factual, and also it explores the avenues and the possibility of solving this problem which is something very relevant to the current peace process.

Thank you.

Regards,

Suley

July 17, 2003

Mr. Scott Dwyer
Program Director, KQED

Dear Mr. Dwyer,

The US media have for decades been a slave to the Israeli lobby groups. Please give us a break and let Americans see what the reality in the middle-east is like. Please air the program "Palestine is still the issue".

Sheikh

July 18, 2003

Dear Sirs:

I understand that KQED is considering broadcasting the documentary "Palestine Is Still the Issue". This controversial documentary has been praised by England's Intependent Television Committee for the care and thoroughness of it's research. There is no better time than now to present this position to your viewers, as the discussion of possible alternatives to violence in the area intensifies. Please broadcast this documentary.

Pete

July 18, 2003

Dear Program Director:

I really want to see the documentary "Palestine is Still the Issue" by John Pilger. In fact I have been looking for it and expecting it to air on public television and hoping that you would schedule it. I am a school teacher and I really rely on alternative media sources for information on important subjects. I never expect to get truthful information from the networks.

Facts about Palestine are almost absent in the media. It seems that any programming on this important area of the world is presented through the lens of Zionism, a reactionary movement which most Americans, including most Jews (including me) do not support any more than the American people supported apartheid in South Africa.

The Civil Rights movement in the USA certainly educated Americans about the harmfulness of racist government policies and laws (such as the Jim Crow laws) in this country and made Americans somewhat more sensitive to racist segregation policies in other parts of the world. Israel is an apartheid country even building a wall between Israelis and Arabs! Can't we see a viewpoint that criticizes and opposes these terrible policies?

Public Television has done amazing work in airing such documentaries as Eyes on the Prize and Edward Said's program on Palestine a few years ago. Please continue to do what never is done on commercial stations by airing this documentary.

Yours truly,

Carole

July 20, 2003

To: J. Boland and S. Dwyer:

Hello! I am writing to encourage you to broadcast "Palestine Is Still the Issue" on KQED soon. It is important that our public broadcasting stations present both sides of issues,however controversial--in fact, especially when the issues are controversial.

As you are probably aware, the mainstream corporate media has been unduly influenced by the Zionist lobby not to tell the Palestinian story. We hope public broadcasting stations will remedy this situation and give the American people an opportunity to learn about a crucial issue that directly affects world peace.

Thank you for being fair-minded and courageous. The very fact that folks don't want this video about the suffering of the Palestinian people to be seen is reason enough to show it!

Peace,

C-E

July 22, 2003

Dear Mr. Dwyer:

I urge KQED to show John Pilger's film "Palestine is Still the Issue".

If some consider it not balanced and too "pro Palestinian" it could be followed by a discussion and would spark tremendous interest in an issue that has affected all our lives and is the cancer which radiates illness throughout the Middle East and the world. I say open up the discussion, and not let KQED be governed by fears that it favors one side or the other.

Sincerely,

Tom Miller
General Counsel
Global Exchange

July 23, 2003

To: J. Boland and S. Dwyer

Greetings,

A couple of weeks ago I wrote to both of you, asking that KQED air the documentary "Palestine Is Still the Issue." I have not received a response, so I am writing again to reiterate my support for this documentary.

I recently saw the documentary for the first time and found it to offer an important perspective that is usually lacking in mainstream media. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend a screening of the documentary in San Francisco, but the vast majority of KQED's viewers do not and will never
have such an opportunity. Thus, it is all the more important that KQED further its public education mission by broadcasting this important documentary.

Thank you for your consideration.

Seth

July 24, 2003

To: John Boland and Scott Dwyer

"I'm writing to urge you to show the outstanding documentary titled "Palestine is still the Issue" by John Pilger, an Emmy Award winning documentarian. KQED is a public station I've always been proud of as a resident of the Bay Area.

Over the years I have supported KQED (both financially and otherwise) because the programs that you air are far superior to anything else on the airwaves. It is because of this that I encourage you to broadcast a documentary that is both timely and critical in these anxious times. Because of the subject matter this film is not without controversy. But more than any other documentary it has been reviewed by many and found to be without bias. The most significant finding was by the "Independent Television Commission" in England.

The importance of having our public television station air a film of this magnitude may for once and for all, help introduce peace and sanity through education into a world gone mad by graphically depicting the pain, suffering and futility of the current conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Again I urge you to please adhere to your public duty as a "public" television station and approve, acquire and air the documentary so that others can become enlightened as to what the reality is in present day Palestine.

Thank you for your time!

In Peace

Mary

July 24, 2003

To: J. Boland and S. Dwyer

Both my wife and I watched the Palestine is still the issue tape recently.

We think that it is important for the KQED viewers to get a balanced view of the Palestinian problem. This documentary shows a side of the Palestine - Israel problem that is unfortunately rarely seen in this country. As long term members we strongly urge you to air this documentary.
Gondica and Peter

July 24, 2003

To: S. Dwyer and J. Boland

I understand you have the opportunity to air the movie "Palestine Is Still the Issue." I will consider it a great favor if you will do that. If you review you contribution records you will see I have been a contributor to KQED, although not so much since I am unemployed. Thanks for your help in this matter.

David E.

July 29, 2003

To: J. Boland and S. Dwyer

Dear Mr. Boland,

I am aware of the consideration you are giving to scheduling John Pilger’s Palestine Is Still The Issue." I also am aware of the efforts by the Jewish Community Relations Council to prevent this documentary from being aired. A copy of their "alert" is attached.

When it comes to information about the Palestine/Israel conflict in the U.S., the efforts to silence any unsympathetic portrayal of Israeli policy and actions are remarkably effective. Pilger, though, does what most other journalists fail to do. He takes Israeli politicians to task and exposes those Israelis fulfilling their country’s policies of colonization. For Israel apologists, it is not a pretty picture. And for American audiences, it is a seldom seen one. The JCRC wants us to know the Israeli version of history and current events. Pilger’s film does not fit that mold. Red herrings aside, why else would the JCRC and others want to silence it?

Our corporate television stations cannot be relied on to present new information which challenges mainstream perceptions. Therefore, we turn to our public television stations for news and films which educate and enlighten us about our world. In most cases, PBS does an admirable job. With the Palestinian/Israeli issue, however, PBS falls prey to those who cannot tolerate much beyond the Israeli as victim/Palestinian as terrorist theme. Palestinian actions are rarely put into context while Israeli actions always have a logical excuse.

The PBS Home Video catalog demonstrates the tendency to promote the Israeli experience and neglect the Palestinian Christian and Moslem experience:

In "Israel: A Nation is Born" and "Heritage: Civilization and the Jews", viewers get Abba Eban and his Zionist bias;

In "The 50 Years War: Israel and the Arabs" each war is predominantly recounted from the Israeli perspective;

In "Arab & Jew: Return to the Promised Land" David Shipler portrays two groups who are somehow equal rather than showing how an immigrant group colonizes and occupies another;

Finally, "Elie Wiesel: First Person Singular" completely ignores Wiesel’s calling card, condemning crimes against humanity, when it is Israelis perpetrating those crimes on Palestinians.

While I am concerned about the films PBS promotes in the catalog, my bigger concern is with the films not offered. Where is the Palestinian experience articulated by Palestinians voices?

I have no doubt the support for KQED’s scheduling of "Palestine Is Still The Issue" is broad based. I further have no doubt the people urging you to drop this film want us to remain uninformed about the Palestinian narrative. I urge you to listen to the diverse voices who believe Pilger’s film contributes to our understanding of what is happening between Israelis and Palestinians, and dismiss those voices of intolerance who are afraid of Israel’s image being tarnished. Succumbing to them would be a disservice to your listeners and would violate KQED’s stated mission of being "…a vital source for quality programming and thought-provoking information."

Sincerely,

Basil Ayish

August 8, 2003

To: J. Clarke, et al

I'd like to know if you are planning to broadcast
'Palestine Is Still the Issue'

I'll be looking forward to it.

Thank you

Guillermo

August 25, 2003

To John Boland and Scott Dywer:

I am a frequent KQED viewer and I want to see Palestine Is Still the Issue on KQED. It would be of utmost importance to me to see my public television station show this widely acclaimed documentary which is thought by many to be unbiased. In the sprit of democracy, please include my voice among those in favor of this terrific film.


Sincerely,

Larisa

August 24, 2003

To: S. Dwyer and J. Boland

In honor of my daughther's fifth birthday, I am writing to voice a plea to you. I look at my daughter (as well as her two year old brother) and think what do I REALLY want to give her so that she may explore the world and realize her true potential. The answer I continue to return to is a world with less hate, less atrocities AND more peace. I want her to climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower, watch the sunset in Timbuktu and swim in the Dead Sea. I want to look at both her Jewish girlfriends and her Palestinian girlfriends and know that their families are safe and hopeful both here and abroad. To this end, KQED must air Palestine is Still the Issue to educate and spawn debate in the RIGHT venues so that peace may be attained. My daughter, and every child in our world, deserves people in your position to do the right thing by honoring my request.

Anonymous

9-27-03

From: Basil Ayish

September 27, 2003 Several advocates of keeping KQED true to its mission addressed the board meeting on Wednesday, after which there was a rally and showing of "Palestine Is Still The Issue" outside. There were only a few people who showed up for the rally but I do believe their activities complemented the message we delivered inside. Naturally, more participants would have been better. Our job is not done, yet. John Boland has recently sent letters to some of you continuing to suggest that PISTI still is under consideration in one paragraph, and in another mentioning a possible combination of programs, but without material that would be "dated". The kicker is that he is talking about doing this NEXT YEAR! That should insure PISTI would be "dated". If you have not gotten a response to your letters from KQED yet, you might send a note and ask what is taking so long to make a decision.

For now, I thought I would share my statement to the board with you. It lays out John Boland's duplicitous statements and rejection of public input despite all the thoughtful and sincere letters urging KQED to air PISTI.

Regards,

Basil Ayish

Subject: Board Meeting Comments
Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2003 11:49:25 -0700
From: Jeff Clarke, President & CEO
To: Mr. Ayish,

I want you to know that our Board of Directors and I heard your concerns about KQED-TV, Channel 9 programming decisions last week and I will be addressing them within KQED.

I do not know what the final decision will be regarding John Pilger's documentary, Palestine Is Still The Issue. Our content folks will make a decision regarding that particular program after a thorough review has been completed. I have asked them to do so in a timely manner.

Thank you for taking time to come to the KQED Board meeting and present your concerns about programming decisions within our organization.

Cordially,

Jeff Clarke

Mr. Shepherd –

Please give me your mailing address and I will send you a copy of the KQED Community Advisory Panel statement of responsibilities for clarification.

I have spoken to the CAP Chair, and he has offered to pass along any written information to other CAP members. So if you wish, please email or mail me the information and I will make sure it gets to the CAP.

Thanks very much.

Patricia Evans

VP Communications,

Community & Government Relations

Hi Patricia,

Thanks for getting back to me with the information.

My contact information is below.

I will forward the documentation about our communication with KQED. As part of the record, you and members of the panel will see a sampling of emails from members of the community who have expressed a strong desire to see the film. Unlike the "Jewish Community Relations Council" that is attempting to stop "Palestine Is Still The Issue" from being shown, the proponents appeals were numerous and not scripted from "talking points." Although many hundreds called and emailed, I was only able to capture a few of the emails that are included in the KQED story.

Please forward this note to Patrick Connolly, the CAP Chair, and advise him that I am also able to provide the documentary in VHS format for all of the members to see.

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Best regards,

Fred Shepherd

Patricia Evans, Coordinator
Community Advisory Panel
KQED - TV

Hi Patricia,

As per your instructions, I have attached the documentation regarding our Community effort to have KQED air "Palestine Is Still The Issue." It was my understanding that you will forward this information to Mr. Patrick Connolly and others on the CAP to keep them informed about what the Bay Area community has been trying to accomplish with KQED.

Please forward this immediately and ask Mr. Connolly to contact me at his earliest convenience as Mr. Clarke is attempting to produce a decision very soon.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Best regards,

Fred Shepherd

Hello Fred –

Re: your phone message today -- please forward copies of your VHS tape to me if you wish to get them to CAP members. I will make sure they all know that tapes of the program are available should they wish to view it.

Thank you,

Patricia

Hi Patricia,

Thank you and the tape will go out today or tomorrow. NOTE: TAPE SENT 10-8-03 for delivery on 10-9-03.

Additionally, please distribute the 60 + pages regarding our community effort with KQED. This may be more important than the film.

Best regards,

Fred Shepherd

RE: PALESTINE IS STILL THE ISSUE

Dear Mr. Clarke:

Thank you for your letter to Mr. Ayish regarding his concerns about KQED-TV. If you don't mind, please copy me on all future correspondence with anyone regarding these outstanding issues.

I am currently piecing together important information for your review and hope to have it to you by this Monday or Tuesday. In that you will be addressing various concerns with your staff, please allow sufficient time to thoroughly review the documentation that Marc Sapir and I have been able to compile over the last several months. You will see in this documentation that we have presented many reasons for airing the film while your programming staff has been unable to offer a single reason for not airing it. We have asked questions and not gotten answers or have gotten answers that are evasive and unsubstantiated. Mr. Dwyer engaged the services of "secret/unnamed & biased" journalists to review the film and validate his existing bias and prejudice. Erroneous and misleading information was given to the Jewish Bulletin. Many precedents have been established for the airing of this film throughout the world. John Pilger has received acclaim and numerous awards in the United States and many foreign countries for his work. If you find errors or mistakes in any of the documentation that I have sent and will continue to send, please provide corrections and comments that you feel are warranted.

The only opposition to having this film aired is coming from a minority of people at KQED and the Jewish Community Relations Council. Although I was able to capture only a small portion of the favorable emails sent to KQED, our "Community Advisory Panel" has demonstrated its strong desire to see this film. Unlike the opposition, the favorable emails were not scripted nor developed from "talking points."

KQED's mission and its "Independent Initiative" purport to welcome documentaries such as "Palestine Is Still The Issue." Example: "The Initiative is a response to the demand of the public for new film . . . and to KQED's commitment to provide exciting, compelling programming." You must admit, this film is exciting and compelling and it hasn't even been aired by KQED!

Unfortunately I was unable to attend the recent KQED Board Meeting as I was out of the country. As you may know, Marc Sapir of Network against Disinformation contacted KQED several months prior to June of this year and requested that various films including "Palestine Is Still The Issue" be aired. It is my understanding that his requests were met with firm resistance.

When I first contacted KQED in late June, 2003, to request the airing of "Palestine Is Still The Issue," I did not know Mr. Sapir nor was I aware of his groups' various activities. To give you an idea of its popularity, over 500 original copies of "Palestine Is Still The Issue" have been distributed throughout the Bay Area, other towns in California and in other states since 2/03. There continues to be a strong demand for this documentary and for it to be shown on KQED.

If your decision is to broadcast the documentary at prime time, it will be a fair one and we can all walk away happy.

Thank you for your consideration.

Best regards,

Fred Shepherd

October 8, 2003

James Canales
Chairman of the Board
KQED

Dear Mr. Canales:

RE: Community Request to Air "Palestine Is Still The Issue"

As chairman of the board of KQED, we felt that you should be apprised of the community's many requests to have the documentary, "Palestine Is Still The Issue" aired this year on KQED. As you will see, there is ample, documented support for airing this film.

Contained in the attached documentation are many emails from your viewing audience; awards and precedents that pre-qualify this film for public television; correspondence between community members and programming staff as well as other miscellaneous information. KQED's mission statement and its "Independent Initiative" are also supportive.

We are very concerned with the methodology employed by the programming department in the review and selection process of this particular film. If, after reviewing this documentation, you find that our concerns are unfounded please provide details in order for us to have a better understanding.

Your consideration is greatly appreciated.

Best regards,

Fred Shepherd

10-10-03

Jeff Clarke, President & CEO, KQED

Dear Mr. Clarke:

For many years, my wife and I have been members of KQED and provided your organization with financial support. When KQED asked for help, we participated. We and many hundreds of your members and viewing audience are now asking KQED for answers to valid and appropriate questions that have been presented to you and others. There are many serious issues that have been brought to management's attention that remain unanswered.

As you may know, I sent a copy of the documentary and the history of our entreaty to Patricia Evans who was going to distribute it to members of the CAP. I called Patricia and left a message about whether or not she had received the material and distributed it. Ms. Evans did not return my call but I did hear from Margaret Berry.

Ms. Berry advised me that the material would not be distributed to the members of CAP at this time. She further advised that our material may be presented to the members at a meeting to be held on November 13, 2003, and that a decision about whether or not to air "Palestine Is Still The Issue" would be made soon. Please correct me if I am wrong, but it sounded as though the decision about whether or not to air the film would be made prior to management's meeting with CAP members on November 13, 2003. Why is this information being withheld from the CAP members?

From my understanding of the Community Advisory Panel's "Mission Statement" the members are obliged and should have been involved, from the outset, in the disquisition that is before KQED's management and programming department.

Following is the Community Advisory Panel's Mission Statement to which I am referring:

The board of Directors of KQED, Inc. ("KQED") has determined that it is in the best interest of KQED to establish a Community Advisory Panel (CAP) broadly representative of the communities served by KQED. The purpose of the CAP shall be to ascertain and advise the Board of Directors of KQED's effectiveness in meeting the specialized educational and cultural needs of the communities it serves. The CAP shall also participate in community relations' activities in conjunction with the Board of Directors. Said ascertainment, advice and community relations may be accomplished by reviewing programming goals and services provided by KQED and organizing and participating in various activities such as forums, speaker bureaus, committee assignments, and other activities.

While watching KQED's Frontline feature, "Truth, War, and Consequences" last night, I noticed numerous similarities between it and "Palestine Is Still The Issue." Although the fact that Americans were seen as occupiers of Iraq, killers of innocent civilians, etc., why was this film allowed and not Mr. Pilger's? Again, please correct me if I am wrong, but the significant difference appears to be that where criticism of the United States of America is allowed on TV, newspapers, magazines, etc., any hint of criticism of Israel and/or its policies by depiction or otherwise is absolutely forbidden!

Thank you for your time and we look forward to hearing from you and/or meeting with you.

Fred Shepherd

Two upcoming KQED programs that may be of interest:

* Commonwealth Club, KQED Public Radio, Fri, October 10, 2003 -- 8:00pm
The speaker is Hafez Al-Mirazi, Washington Bureau Chief for AlJazeera.

* World Affairs Council, KQED Public Radio, Mon, October 27, 2003 -- 8:00pm
The speaker is Dr. Nabil Shaath, Foreign Minister of the Palestinian National Authority, Political Advisor to Chairman Arafat.

October 10, 2003

Dear Mr. Boland:

Please advise why you think these programs would be of interest.

You have given us information that we have not asked for and not given us information that we have asked for! If you and your associates do not intend to answer our questions, simply state that you will not answer our questions and we will simply not ask that you answer our questions.

I would hope, as being a representative of an organization that may take pride in its communication skills, you or someone at KQED could respond to this and previous questions. If you are going to stonewall us, take pride in it and just say so.

In a conversation with Patricia Evans today, she clarified that the VHS tape of "Palestine Is Still The Issue" and the documentation that I had sent to her will not be given to the members of the "Community Advisory Panel" until their meeting on November 13, 2003. Although it was my understanding that the information would be given to the members within days of receipt, Ms. Evans now states that 11/13/03 will be the date. Fortunately I take notes. . . just an old habit.

Thank you and I look forward to better communication in the future.

Best regards,

Fred Shepherd
Executive Director

October 10, 2003

John Boland, Chief Content Officer, KQED

Dear John,

I received your e-mail announcement about an Al Jazeera rep and a Palestinian rep on KQED (the former happened before I had the notice the latter in 2 weeks). It seems your inference is that KQED is presenting the "Palestinian side" and the "Arab perspective" as well as the Israeli. I won't fall into that trap. Neither I, nor the Network against
Disinformation represent the Palestinians (or the Israelis) and I don't think you should either. I'm interested in the truth and in promoting honest journalism that seeks the truth. I don't oppose having spokespeople for the Palestinian government or the Israeli government but the role of journalism is not just an "honest balance of two distinct hostile camps".
The U.S. is deeply connected to supporting only one side there and to persistent intervention against the will of most people in that region. Muckraking is muckraking and that's all there is too it. Going after lies, distortion and propaganda that promote untruths is the hard story. There is always self-serving stuff from both sides in any conflict, but the main story is that in this case the truth of the level of oppression and terror against one side is heavily suppressed as is the inequality in the equation of colonial status. Pilger's film gets to some of that very well, which is perhaps why you, KQED, and rightist Jews who support the Likud policies may feel uncomfortable and why you may refuse to show it.

We who have campaigned for the Pilger film are waiting--interminably it seems---for an honest assessment-- and a KQED decision on this film.

As I said the very first time we met: its mainly a question of journalistic ethics. The media publishers and editors often appear to not even understand their own ethical compromises. For example, the Chronicle and LA Times clearly opposed the recall of Gray Davis and opposed Arnold's election in their editorial stances, and yet their editors managed to act
almost like Rupert Murdock's Fox, Oprah and Larry King featuring front page photos and lead articles on Arnold to the exclusion of key issues and other candidates (except to show how Davis was embattled and failing to move people) about every single day. The in depth stuff was there as the side bar, not the main story. The last minute womanizing story was done as just another tabloid story trying to top the pro-Arnold tabloid phenomenon.
Don't editors realize that that is what made the Arnold phenomenon unstopable in the first place, the media hype? They don't seem to understand that it is the monied life, the glitz and gliterrati phenomenon that they are allowing to decide what is newsworthy even in the media they themselves manage. Why won't anyone just do journalism?

You have not been honest or fair with us, with the Palestinians or with the interests of the American people on this Pilger film. We have no idea what you are talking about when you claim there are experts you consult who don't think this film is objective enough. The film is what it is, a good piece of journalism which the British Independent Film REview Board found to be worthy. Pilger isn't neutral, but he's fair. And the Israelis interviewed speak for themselves. You and others want to censor these Israelis because they both expose the brutality and indecency of the Israeli position or, in once case, present a strong attack on the Israeli government position from a father whose young daughter was killed by a
suicide bomber. Such things are not to be permitted in the U.S. media apparently (at least up until now; maybe that can change). Even the former head of the Knesset, Avraham Burg, has now attacked the government of Israel and the policies of the brutal occupation as a force that is destroying Israel's national culture. Has that story been on KQED?

In my view what is most powerful or most terrifying to KQED, the U.S. neo-fascist government, or the brutal Israeli government, is the truth out of the mouths of Israelis. I'm all for re-humanizing the Palestinians as they have been systematically dehumanized, but you haven't said you would show Gaza Strip or Jenin Jenin any more than you have agreed to show Palestine is Still the Issue and we gave you the names of all those documentary over 6 months ago. So please stick to Palestine is Still the Issue and make your case against it out in public instead of all the pretenses.

Like the corporate media KQED holds a piece of the monopoly over our public air waves. You have the power of censorship. Let go of it. Be fair.

Marc Sapir, MD, MPH
Director, Retro Poll (retropoll.org)
representative Network against Disinformation.

10-17-03

Dear President Clarke,

I am writing you to request that KQED agree to air the documentary "Palestine is Still the Issue". I understand it has been under consideration by you and your staff for many months now?

In keeping with your "public broadcasting" role, I would expect to see a broad spectrum of information and opinions made available by your station. Certainly, the POV programming that I'm aware of has raised and explored many such controversial subjects.

I look forward to your reply and trust it will demonstrate a thoughtful approach to meeting the needs and expectations of all your community.

Sincerely, David R. Fielder

To Whom It May Concern @ KQED:

I have been following closely KQED's subterfuge to try to sabotage the airing of John Pilger's extraordinary documentary film, "Palestine Is Still The Issue". From a distance, in Vermont, it looks like KQED is giving PBS a black eye and shortchanging its viewers. After all, Pilger is a noted, respected, award winning journalist, documentary film-maker, writer, playwright http://pilger.carlton.com/http://pilger.carlton.com/. Thus, it begs the question, "Why not air the film?"

Why have you not given professional "programming" reasons for not airing the film? Why have you not answered very relevant and valid questions posed to you by proponents of "Palestine Is Still The Issue"? Why are you basing your decision not to air the documentary on politics and not programming?

Why do you not respond to the community that you purportedly serve? Why do you not want to involve your own "Community Advisory Panel"? Why have you withheld information from the CAP? Why must hundreds of thousands of viewers rely on the negative bias and prejudice of only two or three people at KQED?

Mr. Clarke, as President and CEO, why have you refused to accept responsibility
for the decision? Finally, to all of you at KQED, are you aware of your own "Independent Initiative"?

Why does KQED want to kill the messenger? Take a cue from Pilger: "It is not enough for journalists to see themselves as mere messengers without understanding the hidden agenda of the message and myths that surround it."

Why, why, why?

John Perry Ryan

Braintree, VT

October 19, 2003

Jeff Clarke, President and CEO
KQED-TV

RE: WHOSE INTEREST IS BEING SERVED?

Dear Mr. Clarke:

On October 17, 2003, I received a letter from Mr. Canales, Jr., Chairman of the Board, in which he stated that "we delegate individual programming decisions to the management of KQED." By management, did he mean you? As President and CEO of KQED, I would hope that you will accept that responsibility instead of passing the buck back to those who already have demonstrated extreme bias and prejudice toward the film. Their answer may have been determined before the film arrived for screening at KQED this past June!

If you have reviewed the information that we have provided, a "YES" decision to airing the film is the equitable choice and it would be responsive to your viewing audience. As you have seen in the documentation that we have sent to you and others, there is overwhelming proof that supports the integrity of this film and its qualifications. You may recall that the documentary "Palestine Is Still The Issue" had an 83% approval rating when shown in England. If you elect to prevent this documentary from being shown by KQED, I would hope that you will provide ample justification for such a decision.

Whose Interest is Being Served?

1. Is it the majority of the Bay Area community? Let's hope so! Thousands of residents in the Bay Area who are KQED members and viewers have requested the airing of "Palestine Is Still The Issue." The community has spoken. Is KQED listening? Let's hope so.
2. Is it just one person? Let's hope not. Is it Scott Dwyer, Program Director, whose bias and prejudice have been demonstrated, and has, through his statements, indicated that he will block the broadcast of "Palestine Is Still The Issue?" Let's hope not.
3. Is it two or three people? Let's hope not. Would two of them be John Boland and DeAnne Hamilton?
4. Is it the 6 to 22 major contributors to KQED? Let's hope not. Information from KQED's 2002 annual report: In the year 2002, 48% of KQED's revenue came from contributions and membership fees. For the year 2003, approximately 60% to 70% of KQED's total revenues will come from contributions. Contributions pledged as of March 1, 2003 from just 22 contributors amounted to approximately $55,000.000.00. Of the 22 pledges, 6 contributors pledged a total of approximately $38,000,000.00 Total pledges from everyone amounted to approximately $70,000,000.00. Approximately 55% of all pledges are from 6 contributors. One would hope that all of the contributors support the freedom of access to widely acclaimed films that the community has requested.
5. Is it a combination of 2 to 22? Let's hope not!

Once again I ask that you consider all of the facts before you and approve the broadcast of "Palestine Is Still The Issue" soon and at prime time.

Thank you for your consideration.

Best regards,

Fred Shepherd
Executive Director

Dear James Canales, M. Berry, Jeff Clark, and John Boland,

Many of us in your 'viewing audience' are still waiting to view "Palestine Is Still the Issue." Your refusal to explain why you haven't aired this documentary is frustrating and disappointing.

Please explain to me why information is withheld from your "Community Advisory Panel" regarding programming decisions. Does KQED attend to its Community Advisory Panel only by making sure that they do not hear about or receive requests from the community for particular films?

The way in which programming decisions are made is very unsettling news about the operations of our local public television station. As a community member, I would appreciate an explanation of why KQED's "Community Advisory Panel" is being kept out of the programming loop.

Sincerely concerned,

Tanya

Dear Mr. Clarke:

Thank you for giving us, your viewers, the opportunity to speak at the KQED Board of Directors’ meeting on September 24^th. While I appreciate having had that opportunity, I have been disappointed by KQED’s response to our presentations. We continue to be met with signs of KQED’s apparent reluctance to air "Palestine is Still the Issue." We wonder now why our material was not distributed promptly to the Community Advisory Panel as we were originally informed (within a few days of 10/8) which would have given Panel members ample time to review it before the CAP meeting on or about 11/13. We were told later on 10/8 that our material would not to be given to members until the 11/13 CAP meeting, thus further delaying the approval process. Perhaps there was a good reason for this delay but to us, who have been waiting so long, this seemed to be a needless delay.

As long ago as last April and continuing up to the present time, viewers have been asking KQED to show this film. In a phone message on June 26^th, Mr. Boland seemed to dismiss viewers’ requests because of his "understanding" based on "second-hand" (and erroneous) information that National PBS had chosen not to show the film because it "was totally out of balance." (We contacted National PBS and were told they had never gotten the film and, of course, could not have said it was "totally out of balance.")

Mr. Boland’s response to viewers’ requests based on his "understanding" of "second-hand" and erroneous information does not inspire confidence in KQED’s programming process.

Nor is confidence inspired by Mr. Dwyer’s statement (when pressed about not yet approving Pilger’s film) that "independent, anonymous journalists" who did not care for Pilger or his documentaries gave it negative ratings. (When the issue of bias was brought up, Mr. Dwyer corrected the impression about bias saying the journalists were "neutral." He refused to reveal the number or names of the journalists. What’s happened to transparency? To be credible, don’t reviewers have to attach their names to their reviews?)

Also disturbing is a response to our community representative in which Mr. Dwyer said that Pilger had "manipulated" the documentary. Since Pilger - winner of, at least, 30 national and international awards - is widely acclaimed for his thorough, accurate reporting, the charge that his documentary was "manipulated " doesn’t seem to be very credible. Pilger’s long-time, well-known reputation for fair reporting was further corroborated by the recent report of the (British) Independent Television Commission that investigated the film, "Palestine is Still the Issue," for 3 months and praised it for its "journalistic integrity," the "care and thoroughness" with which it was researched and the "comprehensiveness and authority" of the film’s sources, "not least, because of their Israeli origins".

It would have been irresponsible for Mr. Dwyer to charge Pilger with manipulation without even knowing about his distinguished record. On the other hand, if Mr. Dwyer did know about Pilger and his long-time, well-known reputation for honest reporting but chose to ignore it, that raises questions about Mr. Dwyer’s professional conduct.

But so much for past actions. What I want to address is KQED’s grave responsibility to promote free access to information about the dreadful plight of the Palestinian people.

Palestinians believe they have a right to live in freedom their homeland - the land their people have lived in for many centuries. They believe their right to live freely in their homeland is an ‘inalienable’ right guaranteed by the Declaration of Human Rights, Geneva Conventions and International law. Palestinian rights were violated over 50 years ago and continue to be violated because of the refusal of the U.S. superpower to support international law.

The Palestinian situation is horrendous. Scarcely a day goes by without an invasion or a barbarous attack somewhere in Palestine. Ruthless slaughter of innocents, senseless demolition of homes leaving hundreds of families trying to find shelter in the rubble, targeted assignations, destruction of vast areas of citrus orchards and ancient olive groves depriving many families of the only livelihood they’ve ever known, confiscation of land and water resources, closing of schools (sometimes for as long as 3 years) closing of universities, prevention of access to medical care often resulting in needless death, arrest and imprisonment without charge (an imprisonment that can be continually renewed and last for years), curfews, closures and checkpoints disrupting any semblance of normal daily life and, of course, the endless humiliation.

And all this is accomplished with the help of massive amounts of U.S. financial aid and weaponry!!

What is the matter with us? We are supposed to be civilized, enlightened people. Having emerged from the jungle eons ago, why has mankind not yet abandoned the law of the jungle where the strongest Neanderthal with the biggest club was able to brutalize all other creatures? It is scandalous that we continue to tolerate and even finance such savagery. For years, we have been dumbed-down, desensitized by the media. We feel the suffering of our own but are immune to the agony and anguish of others.

And sadly, many of us may not even know or have forgotten that this brutal, never-ending tragedy began, not because Palestinians had anything to do with the Holocaust, but because they happened to live in a land coveted by others and they chose to defend it.

It is time - indeed, well past time - for Americans to learn about all sides of this bitter conflict. It’s time for you, at KQED, to rise up and honor your profound moral obligation to us, your viewers. Suppressing either side of this issue because it is unpalatable or unpopular would be a travesty. Denying your viewers access to Pilger’s powerful, educational documentary despite our many requests and viewer enthusiasm for it, would be a serious betrayal of your commitment to help educate the public. The film has been shown in many countries around the world and has received vigorous endorsement.

Please honor your moral obligation to address all sides of the Israeli Palestinian conflict and show Pilger’s film. Do not let us down.

Sincerely yours,

Edith

Subj:	Palestine is Still the Issue
Date:	10/20/2003 8:53:48 PM Pacific Daylight Time
To:	[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Sent from the Internet (Details)

For several years I have been a supporter of KQED. I have recently received requests to renew my subscription and I would like to. However, I am concerned with supporting a station that exercises censorship over political views. I am concerned with supporting a station that refuses to air "Palestine Is Still the Issue," the important film by award winning John Pilger. If you have seen, as I have, "Palestine is Still the Issue," you will know that both sides in this terrible conflict are shown. There are interviews with Palestinians and Israelis. Pilger interviews Israelis ranging from those who have lost children in suicide bombings to Sharon's spokesman, Dore Gold. Yes, there are scenes of the terrible damage that Israel has wreaked on the Palestinians and, yes, there are interviews with Palestinians, whose voices have long been kept from the American public.

How, I ask, can Americans make up their minds about this conflict if they are forbidden to see films which just might show some of Israel's actions in an unfavorable light, even as they show some of the Palestinian's actions in an unfavorable light? Or is this the reason for your seeming refusal to allow this well-made, well-documented film to be shown on KQED? KQED just doesn't want its viewers to know the truth.

As a Jew with relatives in Israel and as an American, whose tax dollars are fueling this terrible conflict, I feel that your station has an obligation to show "Palestine Is Still the Issue" and to show it at a time when the Bay Area is not asleep or at work.

I hope that I will be able to have reason to renew my subscription......and at a higher rate than before.

Sincerely,

Jan

Dear friends,

Salam

I am writing today in response to the recent communication we received from you about programming decisions at KQED.

Every month we receive thousands of written and telephone communications from Northern Californians we serve with our public television, public radio, Internet and educational services. A portion of these emails, letters and calls include passionate, intelligent and often angry comments regarding coverage KQED provides about the ongoing crisis among Palestinians and Israelis in the Middle East.

Recently a number of you have contacted us about including the documentary Palestine Is Still the Issue in our program schedule. We are getting back to you as promised with KQED's programming decision about broadcast of this documentary. Please read chief content officer John Boland's report below that outlines our decision.

I can assure you that KQED staff and management are committed to bringing the people of Northern California a full perspective on the issues in the Middle East including but not limited to the matters at hand in Palestinian and Israeli communities.

In keeping with our mission to educate and inform viewers, listeners and web users about issues that are important in our lives, we will continue to provide coverage of Palestinian and Israeli issues through broadcast of documentaries on television, reports on radio, delivery of information on kqed.org, and via available educational materials. We hope you will continue to watch, listen, surf and learn through your use of KQED programs and services in the Bay Area and beyond.

Thank you for your interest in KQED.

Jeff Clarke
President & CEO, KQED Public Broadcasting
FROM: John Boland, KQED Chief Content Officer

KQED presents a wide range of coverage from a variety of sources and a diversity of viewpoints on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and other issues, always with an emphasis on quality, fairness, accuracy and service to our audiences. These range from the daily news stories by KQED reporters and NPR newsmagazines on radio to the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer and NOW with Bill Moyers on TV. KQED broadcasts the BBC World Service on both radio and television. Television documentary series like FRONTLINE, Wide Angle, P.O.V., FRONTLINE World, and Independent Lens, plus radio programs like The World, the Commonwealth Club, the World Affairs Council, and Forum, regularly cover the Middle East generally and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict specifically. In addition, we present independently produced programs and special series on both radio and television that relate to the issues.

As is often the case with a subject that has created deep divisions and elicited intense emotions, all sides of the conflict and all viewpoints, including those who claim to be neutral, criticize KQED's coverage. We appreciate receiving comments, complaints and suggestions from people in the communities we serve. We take these into consideration as we move forward with programming decisions. However, we also realize that we must maintain our focus on providing quality journalism that informs and educates from a variety of reliable sources, not programming in reaction to one interest group or another.

Over the past several months, several groups have organized an email, telephone and letter-writing campaign to urge KQED Public Television to broadcast John Pilger's documentary, Palestine Is Still the Issue. We have also received email and phone calls urging us not to air the documentary. At the time the film was first called to our attention, rights where not available to public broadcasters in the U.S. However, during the summer rights became available and KQED received a review copy of the documentary.

In addition to reviewing Palestine Is Still the Issue, KQED surveyed the availability of other independent documentaries that covered some of the same ground as Pilger, specifically life in the Palestinian society under Israeli occupation. The comments from viewers writing to us about Palestine is Still the Issue indicated a sense that this story was not being reported effectively. We decided, rather than simply reviewing Pilger's film and deciding whether or not to air it, it made sense to take a broader look at this subject area and consider more than one option.

We reviewed Pilger's work and other relevant documentaries among the KQED editorial staff, both radio and television, and with journalism colleagues whose opinions we respect in the realm of international coverage and the Middle East. After careful consideration, KQED has decided not to schedule Palestine Is Still the Issue for broadcast. While we respect Mr. Pilger's intention to report stories that have not been widely reported elsewhere, we have found other content, covering the same issues, that better meets KQED's mission to best serve our audiences.

KQED will continue to provide coverage of the Palestinian-Israeli crisis through television, radio and kqed.org. Included in this ongoing mix of content is broadcast of the documentary Between the Lines, a voyage into the unique world of Amira Hass, who has spent much of the last decade living in and reporting from the Palestinian communities of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The film is the story of a reporter's courageous attempt to get to the truth of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; to cut through the confusion and address the issues that must be resolved.

Hass's independent reporting has earned her the enmity of both the Israeli occupation authorities and the Palestinian National Authority, and she has told the story of the occupied territories from the "inside" at great personal peril. KQED believes Between the Lines will be a valuable addition to our programming lineup and enhance our coverage of this critical international issue.

We tentatively plan to broadcast Between the Lines in early January, immediately following FRONTLINE on a Thursday evening. The precise date and time will be announced when our January schedule is final.

Another documentary under review for early 2004 broadcast on KQED is Primetime War II. This sequel to an acclaimed 1998 film, follows Palestinian and Israeli cameramen as they cover stories in Jerusalem, Ramallah, Jenin, Bethlehem, and Hebron. Primetime War II brings the role of the media in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict into stark relief with an eye-opening lesson in the media machinations of war coverage.

As ongoing programs are scheduled or information is made available on our other platforms regarding this sensitive international crisis, KQED will issue announcements and incorporate new listings in the comprehensive program guides offered at kqed.org. We encourage you to visit the KQED web site to learn of the breadth and depth of programming available.

Thank you for taking the time to contact us with your concerns, comments and suggestions.

We see through your weak arguments. Thanks for nothing. You will have no support from many of us in the future.

AT

I urge you to air "Palestine Is Still The Issue". It is very important the Americans know the truth.

Thank You,

Tahir

Dear Mr Clarke and Mr Boland:

Thank you for copying me on your email below. However, I must inform you that I am most displeased and, actually, very upset by your decision to succumb to pressures from one small, yet very powerful special interest group.

I read Mr Boland's email below very carefully, twice, looking for the reason behind the decision. In all the verbiage below, the only sentence that I could find that gave any resemblance of a 'reason' was in the 4th paragraph:

"The comments from viewers writing to us about Palestine is Still the Issue indicates
a sense that this story was not being reported effectively"

AMAZING!! In other words, you listened to only the viewers who wrote with this particular
bias!! Given that the program was never aired, these people could not really be considered
'viewers' now could they? It's obvious to all that received your lame excuse that the people
you make reference to are the powerful minority group that you've decided to bow to. Pray
tell, what happened to all the other viewers (many KQED members) who do recognize this
was reported very fairly and effectively?

In the 2nd paragraph, Mr. Boland states;

"..we also realize that we must maintain our focus in providing quality journalism that informs and educates from a variety of reliable sources, not programming in reaction to one interest group or another."

Again, an amazing, hypocritical statement! You fail to maintain your focus in providing quality journalism when you decide not to air Palestine is Still the Issue! And, you've obviously made a programming decision because of ONE interest group, and not
another.

Shame on you, shame, shame, shame. You until the excellent, even handed report is aired
by KQED, you can remove me from your membership call list.

Heinz H. Bartesch

MORE EMAILS TO FOLLOW

____________________

Effort by the Jewish Community Relations Council to prevent the majority of viewers from viewing

"Palestine Is Still The Issue"

____________________

From: Steve Berley <[email protected]>
Reply-To: [email protected]
Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2003 15:23:21 -0400 (EDT)

Immediate Action Needed:

Prevent Pro-Palestinian Propaganda on KQED Channel 9!

KQED is getting hundreds of calls and emails urging them to broadcast the documentary Palestine is Still the Issue by John Pilger.

We need your help to encourage KQED to air fair and balanced materials, rather than propaganda materials such as this, as outline below.

Contact KQED and voice your opposition to this "documentary"

Scott Dwyer, Program Director
415 553 2218 [email protected]

John Boland, Chief Content Officer
415 553 2820 [email protected]

Place the text into the e-mail; do not send attachments and please also copy as a BCC to: [email protected]

Talking Points:

Note: Rewrite these in your own words. Do not simply cut and paste.

Important: This is not about bashing KQED! It is about educating them on why this "documentary" is inappropriate for broadcast.

Remember: Teach Don't Preach

When contact KQED, please consider including these topics:

- This is pure propaganda not objective reporting.
- Pilger has a 25 year record of openly supporting the Palestinian cause and
makes scant effort at being impartial in his reporting.
- Pilger made this "documentary" while iin the employment of Carlton Television. Michael Green, Carlton's Chairman, strongly criticized this piece as "factually incorrect, historically incorrect," and a "tragedy for Israel so far as accuracy is concerned."
- Pilger suggests that the victims of teerror are morally equivalent to the terrorist, and asserts that killing a terrorist before he can murder is also "terrorism."
- Pilger aggressively attempts to re-wriite history, to the extent that in describing the background of the conflict, he omits the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
See: http://pilger.carlton.com/palestine/background1
- Pliger compares Israel's treatment of its Arab citizens to apartheid in South Africa. However, he fails to mention that Israeli Arabs have far more freedom of speech and media than those in PA controlled areas. Additionally, he forgets to mention that Israel long ago granted all Arab citizens the right to vote - including women - something extremely rare in the Arab world, even today.
- Pilger decries the inconvenience of IDDF checkpoints, but fails to mention that the checkpoints were set up as a response to terrorism.
- Pilger selectively omits mentioning thhe equal number of Jewish refugees who fled from Arab countries, and settled in Israel.
- Operation Defensive Shield is portrayeed as a deliberate attempt to vandalize and destroy Palestinian culture; no mention is made of the wave of suicide bombings that forced Israel to defend itself.
- Pilger suggests that Israel systematiccally murders Palestinians, claiming that 90% of Palestinians killed are civilians. In fact, scholarly studies show that in the last two years of violence, 39% of Palestinian deaths are "non-combatant"
- Pilger claims that "For much of their resistance, the Palestinians have fought back courageously with slingshots." However, he omits reference to the Hebron riots of 1929 when 67 Jews were slaughtered. Or the period of 1951-55, when more than 3,000 armed attacks were launched against Israeli civilians, resulting in the deaths of 922 Israelis and foreign tourists. Or the Oslo period (1993-2000), when 300 Israelis were murdered by Palestinian terrorists. (To cite a few of the many historical examples.)
- Pilger complains that Israel is being heavily supplied by America, but he selectively omits mention that America gives billions of dollars annually to Arab countries such as Egypt and Jordan.

For more information see:
http://www.honestreporting.com/articles/critiques/Pilger_Pilfers_the_Truth.asp

Tips on Writing"

Be Brief: Limit your work to 250 words.

Be Clear and Concise: Don't dwell on diction and style. Edit your letter
before you send it in, deleting unnecessary phrases or words.

Be Factual: The facts you present will be your tool for convincing readers!
Facts, quotes, and statistics strengthen the credibility of your letter and educate readers. Personal opinions that lack supporting evidence sound vague and are easily dismissed by readers.

Be Focused: Concentrate on a single issue to create one very forceful and convincing point. Branching off on other topics will dilute your message.

Be Selective: Do not counter every point, focus on our strengths.

Be Rational: To be credible, keep your message factual. Revealing hostility or bitterness will undermine your integrity. Do not use angry tones.
____________________

"Jewish Bulletin" article

published July 25, 2003

____________________

KQED doesn’t plan to air

documentary that’s anti-Israel

DAN PINE

Bulletin Staff encourage KQED to air fair and balanced

materials, rather than propaganda materials

Leaders of a grass-roots effort to stop KQED such as this. Contact KQED and voice your

from airing an anti-Israel documentary can claim opposition to this documentary."

Victory . . . kind of. Berley took the action in response to an

According to a KQED spokeswoman, Anne aggressive campaign by pro-Palestinian groups

Wintroub, the local PBS outlet never had scheduled urging KQED to air the film, which portrays

"Palestine Is Still The Issue" by an Australian jour- Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza

nalist/filmmaker John Pilger. But that didn’t stop as unabashed terrorism. The film has aired in

executives from the Jewish Community Relations the United States on the cable network Worldlink

Council from raising the alarm, sending out a mass TV .

e-mail urging people to flood KQED with correspon- Wintroub said KQED received hundreds

dence. of calls, letters and e-mails in recent days for and

The July 11 e-mail from Steve Berley, JCRC’s against the airing, but it was all a tempest in a tea-

Director of Israel programs, read in part: pot; the station never had any plans to broadcast

"We need your help to . . . . . . . the special, and still has none.

___________________________

The above article was published in the Jewish Bulletin on July 25, 2003. Errors and inconsistencies in this article were acknowledged by KQED, the Jewish Bulletin and Dan Pine, the reporter. Although KQED knew of these problems, they did not request a retraction. When Fred Shepherd contacted Sherwood Weingarten, the Managing Editor, and requested a retraction, such request was denied. The headline of the article was created by Mr. Weingarten, not Dan Pine. See additional documentation regarding this deception.

=======================================

KQED TV – Fair & Balanced?

(Part 1)

Marc Sapir of Network against Disinformation, et al

Correspondence with KQED beginning 4/1/03

=======================================

From: Marc Sapir,
To: Deanne Hamilton, INTERNET:[email protected]
CC: Raul Ramirez , INTERNET: [email protected]
Date: 4/2/103 7:33 AM

RE: Thanks etc.

To: DeAnne Hamilton, Vice President and TV Station Manager, KQED

April 1, 2003

Dear DeAnne,

I want to thank you, as well as John Boland, Don Durheim and Raul Ramirez for meeting with Jeff Perlstein and myself yesterday at KQED. I appreciate your willingness to listen to our concerns, which not only represent our concerns as leaders of Media Alliance and Retro Poll but those of many tens of thousands of people in the Bay Area, including the individuals planning to demonstrate at KQED next Tuesday, April 9.

There were issues raised that could not be pursued in depth in the time we were there. I would like to address two of these here. You will recall that I began with a question from Retro Poll's first national poll last September: "Is there evidence that Saddam Hussein worked with Al Qaeda?" (this was our poll question, though I also threw in the 9/11 connection at the meeting yesterday). Of the four KQED managers, two felt it was inappropriate to answer because you were there representing KQED, not yourselves, one of you said no evidence of these connections, and the fourth said there was no evidence connecting Saddam Hussein to 9/11 but some evidence of an Al Qaeda presence in Iraq. Although we proceeded to spend 90 minutes interacting together after that I must say that that first interchange was sufficient to clarify the problem that we face with the role of the mass media in the U.S.

There is no evidence of a connection between either Al Qaeda or 9/11 to the Iraqi regime our nation is at war with. There was even a CIA report, suppressed by the Administration, concluding there is no evidence. Most other intelligence experts and governments around the world also came to this conclusion and still hold it. This is not a matter of ideology, of conservative or liberal, left or right, or even of opinion. It is a matter of fact. Retro Poll (retropoll.org) put up a number of links to articles that defend this conclusion attached to that question. Since September, no new evidence to challenge our understanding has appeared, yet more than half the public now have this fact wrong. And where do Americans get their facts from? That is the heart of the matter.

There has been a vast array of repetitive allegations on this issue backed up with forgeries and confabulations right up to open lies by the President of the U.S. himself to defeat the overall truth of the matter. The media appears unable to fully grasp the import of this because there has already been in place a media culture tending to emphasize those facts that tend to support and justify those in power or with authority. The transition from emphasizing particular facts for particular reasons to creating facts for the same goals, seems to have gone by almost unnoticed. This isn't a totally new phenomenon in history of course, but it should be cause for a daily hair pulling and a muckraking Lincoln Stephans scream of alarm. It is not.

The reason Retro Poll used this question on Iraq is the same reason I began our discussion with it. The fabrication of the story is such a clear case of using the media to create the appearance of
facts-construction of a virtual reality, a marketing strategy, a reality TV world-to support policies not in the interest of this nation, its people, or other nations and peoples leading to the desecration of life, of cultures, of peoples, of nation states.

That key people in authority making roles at KQED feel ambivalent enough to decline to answer a factual question (the options included yes, no or don't know) which is at the heart of the rationale for and public opinion of the war, speaks, I believe, to the increasing possibility of world war and fascism in the U.S. People at all levels of society become afraid that truth will get us into trouble, particularly when those in power require that we believe and speak falsehoods. You will surely
remember that in my introduction I began by saying that I believe that the issue of the peace movement's concerns about programming content is fundamentally an issue about ethics and risk taking in an environment structured to have people conform to system norms. I reiterate that
point. I believe from your openness to us that you want to make KQED TV a better station, more responsive to public concerns. I believe, however, that the limits of your effectiveness in doing that will not be governed by your lack of ability, or even resources, but by political considerations
beyond your control, by pragmatism.

The second matter is that I have had two pointed criticisms from you about our not having our facts straight which I should respond to. The leaflet for the demonstration which led to 3 arrests for civil
disobedience in early March, demanded that KQED stop carrying promotionals for Lockheed Martin and other major military contractors. You have said that, to your knowledge, there are no such ads or major funding from Lockheed Martin on KQED-TV. I have taken you at your word and I apologized for the error in the leaflet. However, the reality is that Lockheed Martin is a major sponsor on KQED radio. And corporate sponsors do impact KQED programming. Although you can not be held personally responsible for what radio does, our protests are not against you
personally. Our demand about this particularly onerous advertising is still valid and important. We think that such ads are backing war making at a time when the U.S. "military-industrial complex" (to quote Dwight Eisenhower) is a vast powerful money making apparatus that both fuels and feeds off of offensive and aggressive war making policy.

You made a similar critique when I paraphrased a September 2002 FAIR study showing that the weekday hosts and anchors on KQED were overwhelmingly white (90%) males (70%). You and Raul Ramirez reported the hiring of several people of color and you asked that we do a better job
checking facts. If you have added significant numbers of people of color hosts since the FAIR survey I applaud your achievements in this regard. This is an important area of concern for many people in the Bay area. If you believe that FAIR was wrong with their September, 2002 data I'd like to have your take on that. We would be most pleased to have your HR people re-calculate the current percentages of weekday hosts by ethnicity. We'll be sure that FAIR gets that info; and we will update any information you give us in public forums.

Finally, as I said, I will make a copy of the audio tape of our meeting if you wish. If you do not request it, I will save myself the trouble. Again thanks for being open to us. I hope that the
conversation can continue.

Sincerely,

Marc Sapir
PS. This is not a private letter.

From: Marc Sapir,
To: Deanne Hamilton, INTERNET:[email protected]
Raul Ramirez , INTERNET: [email protected]

Date: 4/8/03 6:18 PM

RE: specific requests

DeAnne Hamilton, Vice President KQED and Manager TV
Raul Ramirez, News Director KQED Radio

April 8, 2003

Dear Deanne and Raul,

As you know we held a demonstration outside KQED today to continue to manifest our concerns that the station is not representing the war, its origins, purposes and effects in a truthful way. Most negative comments that I hear center around Neil Conan and Jim Lehrer who are considered to
be in competition for best apologist for the U.S. government with their never ending stream of Beltway and right wing experts and military geniuses that they parade before the audience. In stark contrast, today I saw a report from the International Red Cross about a truckload of children's and
women's body parts that has literally sickened and incapacitated Iraqi doctors in a small village that the U.S. bombed and bombed because there was resistance---not too likely for that to make it to the airways I suppose. It is easier to quote the Iraqi defense ministry; they can be assumed to be lying.

We have focused our KQED concerns on some very specific requests as promised at the time of the meeting with myself and Jeff Perlstein. These requests are capsulated in a goldenrod colored leaflet we distributed at the demonstration. In case you did not receive it I am attaching it to this e-mail. These are just straightforward proposals of experts that should be used regularly on KQED and high quality documentaries that deserve to be aired.

On the topic of experts, I call your attention to today's Chronicle war section which sort of has the feel of a celebration of "victory" at war. In an article about an impeachment (of Bush) effort that is certain to fail, the writer makes a point of destroying Ramsey Clark's credibility to whatever extent possible. This rings familiar. Ramsey Clark ought to be added to our list of experts on the UN and International Law on the leaflet. He can join people like Scott Ritter who has likewise sustained
serious personal attacks on his credibility and loyalty in recent months, despite the impeccability of his credentials. Dennis Halliday, former under Secretary General of the U.N. hasn't quite gotten the same level of attention but he gets it too, like Sean Penn etc. It would seem that all the government and their media flacks have to do is cast a few accusatory and guilt by association stones at some of the more credible and creditable dissident experts and the media does the rest: black lists them or write them off as kooks who can't be used.

In any case, we are giving you plenty to work with and would appreciate
your consideration of these suggestions and a reply. Thanks.

Marc Sapir

From: Marc Sapir,
To: Deanne Hamilton, INTERNET:[email protected]
CC: Raul Ramirez , INTERNET: [email protected]

Date: 4/19/103 3:37 PM

RE: request follow up

Dear DeAnne,

The committee which I at times represent in communications with you met earlier this week and asked that I prepare this e-mail. We appreciate your accepting our suggestions for screening 10 named documentaries and our request that you regularly use over 50 named individuals as experts in various fields from the UN to US Intelligence to Civil Rights. It is now about 10 days since you acknowledged that you were passing those ideas on to various managers at KQED for discussion.

The Committee would like to add the names of Joel Beinin, As'ad Abu-Khalil and Rashad Kaladi, all well known experts on the Middle East. The Committee also points out the omission of the first name of David McMichaels, a former intelligence officer, and the incorrect substitution of the word "inciteful" where the intent was "insightful" in an earlier leaflet.

We are now asking that you comit to screening at least one of the following 3 documentaries (from the previous list) on KQED TV in the near future: 1) Palestine is still the issue (the 2003 updated version) 2) Jenin, Jenin (also I believe a 2003 release) or 3) Hidden secrets of Desert Storm, which
is not recently released. Our preference would be John Pilger's documentary on Palestine. We are requesting that you give us a response and commitment of a specific broadcast date, and time by Wednesday, April 30. We will hold off planning our next demonstration at KQED pending your
response.

Thanks for keeping an open mind.

Marc Sapir
for the Network against Disinformation

From: John Boland, INTERNET:[email protected]
To: "'[email protected]'", MSapir

CC: Patricia Evans, INTERNET:[email protected], Raul Ramirez, INTERNET: [email protected], Richard Winefield, INTERNET:[email protected], Jo Anne Wallace, NTERNET: [email protected], DeAnne Hamilton, INTERNET:[email protected]

Date: 4/30/103 5:48 PM

RE: Message from Internet

TO: Marc Sapir, Network against Disinformation

Thank you for taking the time to meet with us March 31 and for your follow up correspondence (and flyers from your groups' demonstration). We appreciate your interest in KQED and your recommendations have been shared among the editorial and programming management staff of KQED's media.

We encourage and welcome feedback, criticism and suggestions from individuals and groups from among the communities we serve in Northern California. All comments and recommendations receive full consideration as we plan and implement content development and program schedules.

While we are pleased to receive your groups' recommendations, we believe it is in the best interests of our viewers, listeners and web site users to maintain KQED's editorial independence. It would be inappropriate to allow any individual or organized group to dictate programming decisions. Therefore, while we will, as noted, give your suggestions due consideration, we will not commit to broadcasting particular programs designated by any organization within a specific timeframe.

We hope you will continue using KQED's media, supporting public broadcasting, and responding when you are so moved.

Thank you again for your time and interest.

John L. Boland

From: Marc Sapir [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2003 12:06 PM
To: John Boland; Deanne Hamilton; Raul Ramirez
Subject: New Request to KQED Management

Dear key management folks at KQED,

I am writing at the request of the Network against Disinformation (NaD). Over a month ago NaD received an e-mail from John Boland declining, as KQED director of content, to screen films or use various experts in diverse fields that we had previously recommended to you. Mr. Boland did not
categorically rule out using some of these resources in the future but stated that KQED intends to assure its editorial independence and will resist pressure from particular interest groups.

(Would that KQED were in a position to resist pressure from major private and corporate funders who are, after all, non-public interest groups with agendas sometimes antagonistic to the public's interests. We would be most excited to hear once in a while that KQED refused a major underwriting grant because of concerns for the same editorial integrity. Moreover, we think that our suggestions were quite broad and responsible and did not reflect an effort to compromise KQED's integrity).

In any case, following Mr. Boland's letter we screened John Pilger's, "Palestine is still the issue" a recent documentary by an internationally known journalist, in front of KQED as a protest of your refusal to show it. We are aware of the irony of CAMERA's, an organization that supports
Israeli colonialist policies, launching a boycott of NPR under circumstances where most of the truly fine middle eastern reporters and commentators (Pilger, Robert Fisk, Amira Haas, George Monbiot, Uri Avnery, David Grossman to name a few and include 3 Israelis) rarely get the time of day on U.S. media, including NPR and KQED.

We have now previewed another film that is being censored in the U.S. called "Afghan Massacre: Convoy of Terror", which came to light through Amy Goodman's program Democracy Now on Pacifica Radio within the last 2 weeks. We would urge that KQED seriously consider screening this film which reveals the apparent complicity of U.S. forces and the command structure in a massacre of historic significance in Afghanistan.

Based upon Mr. Boland's letter, we believe it unlikely that you will agree to our suggestion, so we are planning to again effect a film screening in front of KQED on June 20th in the evening. Certainly all KQED staff, and yourselves, as well as listener/viewers are invited. We would appreciate your announcing this event on the air to be sure that your audience understands that NaD is not affiliated with KQED and its actions should not be construed to be endorsed by KQED.

Finally, we do appreciate your efforts to provide some diversity of viewpoints and perspectives on some issues of importance. Speaking only for myself, there are KQED TV programs which are of interest to me and which I do view. (for example, Frontline World's report on fair trade coffee). But KQED remains trapped within the culture of dominance by money. The often biased presentation of current events is skewed in support of that dominant paradigm. And as such the diversity you present is not adequate. KQED thus provides a more erudite, but not sufficiently challenging alternative to the lies that government and corporate media use to permeate our daily lives. We all --the public audience of the Bay Area--need KQED to take the side of the public, and we think, in that
respect, that NaD's requests are really the opposite of Mr. Boland's suggestion that we are a special interest group with a narrow agenda.

Sincerely,


Marc Sapir
for the Network vs Disinformation

From: John Boland, INTERNET:[email protected]
To: "'Marc Sapir'", MSapir

CC: Richard Winefield, INTERNET:[email protected], Patricia Evans, iNTERNET: [email protected], Jo Anne Wallace, INTERNET:[email protected], Raul Ramirez, INTERNET:[email protected], DeAnne Hamilton, INTERNET:[email protected]

Date: 6/16/103 9:51 AM

RE: RE: New Request to KQED Management

TO: Marc Sapir
Network vs. Disinformation

Thank you for writing earlier this month. While we declined, in the interest of editorial independence, to provide a "guarantee" that KQED will broadcast the particular programs or particular spokespeople requested by your group, we very much appreciate receiving suggestions from our viewers and listeners, and we give them all serious consideration. We followed up
on your specific suggestion that we consider the documentary "Palestine Is Still the Issue" for broadcast on KQED and learned that the program is not available to us because U.S. broadcast rights have not been granted to PBS stations.

Your contention that KQED is under some kind of pressure from corporate or private funders is simply not borne out by the facts. KQED is supported by a great diversity of funders of which corporations account for just 17% and major donors only 6%. The largest part of KQED's support - nearly half - comes in the form of modest membership contributions from more than 200,000
generous citizens of Northern California. Like any reputable media organization, we maintain a clear separation between the fundraising and programming functions at KQED. Programming decisions are made by qualified, independent professionals whose only goal is to provide the best possible public media service for the community.

Thank you for your suggestion regarding "Afghan Massacre: Convoy of Terror." We will inquire to determine if broadcast rights are available to KQED and, if so, our programming team will screen the film and determine if it should be included in our schedule. As a viewer of KQED, you know that in addition to regular series (like Frontline World, POV, etc.), KQED regularly airs the work of independent producers. In fact, we broadcast more than 340 independent films last year, far surpassing any other public television station in the nation. We do not shy away from provocative work or controversial voices, but we do seek fairness, accuracy and journalistic integrity in all the content we present.

Each month, more than 5 million Northern California residents watch KQED Public Television, listen to KQED Public Radio, visit kqed.org, and utilize the services of KQED Education Network. We exist to inform, educate and entertain with high quality, noncommercial media, and we take that mission very seriously. We welcome your continuing interest and suggestions.

John Boland
Chief Content Officer

KQED TV – Fair & Balanced?

(Part 2)

June 27, 2003

From: Fred Shepherd

Dear Mr. Dwyer:

Thank you for taking your time to review the enclosed tapes. The tape with the written information includes the introduction to the tape, the interview with John Pilger and the follow-up discussion.

There could not be a more appropriate time to show "Palestine Is Still The Issue." In that the conflict between Israel and Palestine is considered to be at the core of global unrest, now more than ever, Americans should be informed of both the problems and the solutions.

As you may know, there are literally millions of us who are deeply concerned with the control of both commercial and public media. Although I am encouraged that WorldLink TV has the courage to air "Palestine Is Still The Issue" and other significant films, I am troubled that they are alone in a sea of muzzled media entities. My hope is that you will be unbiased in your assessment of this film and will allow it to be seen on KQED.

There is a significant amount of information about the film and its success. This film is not without controversy. More than any other documentary, it has been reviewed by many and found to be without bias. The most significant finding was by the "Independent Television Commission" in England. I have enclosed various reports – pro and con – regarding this film.

Please call if you have any questions or concerns.

PS: Additional web sites for reference:

www2.itv.com/johnpilger/letter.html

www.pilger.carlton.com/print/127663

www.media.guardian.co.uk/israel/story/0,11876, 872510, 000.com

Hi Mr. Shepherd, this is John Boland from KQED returning your call and thanks for calling about "Palestine Is Still The Issue." I just wanted to let you know that we’re looking into that but KQED in fact has not chosen not to run it. We haven’t made that choice. In fact we did not have the option of making that choice because we did not, up until the past week, have the legal right to even consider running it. That particular documentary was not available to public television stations and we had inquired about it previously and the rights had not been released. It’s kind of complicated but we can’t carry a documentary on our air unless we have acquired the rights to do so. Sometimes that costs significant amounts of money. We don’t know what costs will be yet in the case of "Palestine Is Still The Issue."

My understanding, and this is second hand, is that PBS looked at "Palestine Is Still The Issue"’ as possibly a documentary they would acquire and then make available to KQED and all the other public television stations in the United States. They chose not to because they, along with, I guess, others felt that the documentary was totally out of balance and one-sided and felt that it did not represent, you know, an objective view of the situation there. That’s totally second hand. I have no idea if that’s the case and I have no idea if KQED will feel that way. However, we have learned that now the producer has released the documentary for distribution to Public Television stations in the United States through a distribution organization called DLT. This has happened so recently that DLT does not even yet have a copy of the documentary but they are getting it this week they are going to send a copy to KQED’s programming department next week and then our programmers will take a look at it and I am going to defer to them on that decision since the head of our TV station, DeAnne Hamilton and our Director of Programming, Scott Dwyer, are the people responsible for editorial decisions on KQED television. I am going to let them have the opportunity to review the documentary and determine whether they think its something that we should put on the air. If they decide to do so, certainly we’ll be putting it in the listings and things like that and people will know about it.

As you probably know the television listings are done quite a bit ahead of time so probably the soonest that the documentary would be on the air in order to allow people time to know its coming would be sometime this fall because the listings close out a bit ahead of time. But a long story short, that’s the status of "Palestine Is Still The Issue." We’re still looking at it and we will consider it for air.

In your message, you stated that PBS had considered acquiring "Palestine is Still The Issue" and that they chose not to because they, along with others, felt that the documentary was totally out of balance and one-sided and that it did not represent an objective view of the situation there. You also stated that this information was "second-hand." Was the second-hand comment from someone who works at PBS and if so, who? I would very much like to resolve why anyone would criticize a film that is gaining in popularity and which the ITC, viewers and television stations worldwide have overwhelmingly approved. When I contacted PBS in Alexandria, Reed Walsh at John Wilson’s office stated that there was no record of the film being received or reviewed.

Fred Shepherd

I understand the importance of editorial evaluation and having established precedents. As noted in my letter of 6-30-03, there is ample precedent that supports this film. You may know that WorldLink TV has aired the documentary numerous times this year due to its popularity. More recently, the World Affairs Council of San Francisco showed the film as well as numerous schools throughout the Bay Area. One college showed the film to roughly 300 students. Supporting verification of precedents, approval and fairness of this documentary was delivered to Mr. Dwyer on 6-27-03 that you may have already reviewed.

Once again, your attention to these concerns is appreciated.

cc: Scott Dwyer

July 15, 2003

From: John Boland

Dear Mr. Shepherd:

We will contact you and others when we have reached a decision, but, due to summer travel schedules and some special projects currently underway in TV programming, we will not have an answer in time for your July 19-22 conference.

July 15, 2003

To: John Boland & Scott Dwyer, KQED

RE: PIT BULL OPPOSITION TO "PALESTINE IS STILL THE ISSUE"

Greetings John and Scott,

I can see that you are caught in a withering cross fire! The attached message was emailed to me and from what I understand, this type of orchestrated and targeted response is a textbook method that the JCRC and JDL use to silence the media and make or break our "democratically" elected politicians. I hope it doesn't intimidate you. We can criticize the hell out of our own country, but simply telling and depicting the truth about negative aspects of Israel seem to be a capital offense.

My email to friends and other contacts simply encouraged contact with KQED to broadcast - not to hide - a documentary that is appropriate, educational and enlightening. There were no "talking points." Trying to hide the truth is reminiscent of fascism. The KQED audience is intelligent, sophisticated and certainly able to separate fact from fiction. As adults, I think we deserve to see it on your station and can surely deal with it.

Thank you.

Fred Shepherd

Dear Margaret,

Thank you for taking your time to provide procedural matters. In our conversation, you had mentioned that it would be a good idea to contact one or more "community advisory panels." Would you be kind enough to provide contact names and phone numbers or email addresses? Your cooperation is appreciated.

Best regards,

Fred Shepherd

Dear Mr. Shepherd,

The Community Advisory Panel is staffed by Patricia Evans ([email protected]). She can be reached at 415-553-2216. The Community Advisory Panel is not a committee of the Board, but is a group made up of representatives from the community who provide outreach assistance and general feedback from the community to KQED.

Thank you again for your interest in KQED.

Sincerely,

Margaret Berry

August 4, 2003

From: Fred Shepherd

RE: KQED BIAS & PREJUDICE?

Dear Mr. Boland:

Years ago I learned that when Abraham Lincoln got really mad about something he waited 24 yours before responding. Although I have waited over 24 hours to communicate with you, I am still quite angry. On page 23 of the "Jewish Bulletin" dated July 25, 2003, there is an article with the headline, "KQED doesn't plan to air documentary that's anti-Israel." This headline was the result of information not given to the Jewish Bulletin by "Anne Wintroub, a KQED spokeswoman." In addition to the inaccuracies in the article, Ms. Wintroub was quoted as saying that "the station never had any plans to broadcast the special, and still has none." I am truly appalled at the lack of professionalism demonstrated by Ms. Wintroub and what appears to be her zealous desire to undermine the broadcasting of "Palestine Is Still The Issue." If you do not have a copy of this article, I will be happy to fax one to you.

It is abundantly clear that the "Jewish Bulletin" has intentionally challenged and intimidated KQED and its staff by stating that "KQED doesn't plan to air documentary that's anti-Israel." If KQED succumbs to this or similar pressure tactics, God help us. Although this film has been shown on WorldLink TV twelve times and in local schools, churches and many other countries, private and public television stations are demonstrating that, in fact, the news media is being controlled through fear and intimidation.

This is the second of three attacks of the film that I am aware of during KQED's review process. In your message of June 30, 2003, you stated that PBS had considered acquiring "Palestine Is Still The Issue" and that they chose not to because they, along with others, felt that the documentary was totally out of balance and one-sided and that it did not represent an objective view of the situation there. You also stated that this information was "secondhand." Regardless of the source, this wording tainted the film and your internal review process. My response at the time was that "I would very much like to resolve why anyone would criticize a film that is gaining in popularity and which the ITC, viewers and television stations worldwide have overwhelmingly approved. When I contacted PBS in Alexandria, Virginia, Reed Walsh, at John Wilson's office, stated that there was no record of the film being received or reviewed." The source of the derogatory comments remains a mystery!

Third attack: There was an orchestrated effort by Steve Berley of the JCRC to stop KQED from airing the documentary. Mr. Berley provided "Talking points" with a note to "Rewrite these in your own words. Do not simply cut and paste." He then follows with more instructions and at least 12 talking points followed by more instructions. Mr. Berley wishes to suppress a very popular documentary that has survived more scrutiny and reviews than many other films of its genre. The talking points listed in Mr. Berley's email are without merit, misleading and incendiary. If the emails and comments followed his script, you may have noticed that not one of his "talking points" withstands close inspection. Example: In his "talking point" number 3, he states "Pilger made this "documentary" while in the employment of Carlton Television. Michael Green, Carlton's Chairman, strongly criticized this piece as "factually incorrect, historically incorrect," and a "tragedy for Israel so far as accuracy is concerned." Mr. Berley failed to mention that Mr. Green had approved the film until he was pressured to condemn it by the "Honest Reporting" organization which is based in New York. Although Mr. Green was coerced to condemn the film, he was overruled by his own staff which then approved the film. The film was also approved by the UK's Independent Television Commission and when it was broadcast there was an 83% approval rating. Please refer to the documentation that I delivered to Scott Dwyer for additional information. If you wish to review Mr. Berley's email with the instructions and talking points, I will send it to you.

The information that I have provided to you and Mr. Dwyer provides ample precedent for allowing this documentary to be aired on KQED. You have also cited precedents with your statement that "KQED airs more than 350 independent films every year - more than any other public broadcaster in the US - and many of these documentaries deal with provocative and controversial issues." So why is this film causing such trepidation? This should be a no-brainer! It is incumbent upon KQED to air this documentary as an expression of free speech and freedom of access to information while trusting its viewing audience to make intelligent assessments of your programming decisions.

Thank you once again for your consideration.

Cc: Scott Dwyer, Program Director
Jeff Clarke, President & CEO
James Canales, Jr., Chairman of the Board

Thank you for your continuing interest. We regret that the article in the Jewish Bulletin caused you such distress.

John Boland

August 8, 2003

From: Fred Shepherd

RE: KQED, JEWISH BULLETIN, DOCUMENTARY

Dear Mr. Boland:

Thank you for contacting the editor of the Jewish Bulletin and your comments.

Something is wrong with this picture. There seem to be two different stories about the exchange of information between Dan Pine and Ms. Wintroub. Just after noon yesterday I spoke with Mr. Pine of the Jewish Bulletin regarding his article and the discussion he had with Ms. Wintroub. He was emphatic in stating that Ms. Wintroub did not mention that KQED had, in your words, an "ongoing review of the documentary and that we [KQED] had not reached a decision about whether or not to air it." He stated that she implied that KQED did not have the documentary for review nor had anyone seen it at KQED. Mr. Pine also informed me that the headline for this article, "KQED doesn't plan to air documentary that's anti-Israel" was created by someone in the editorial department who seems to have been confused or misled by the article or was simply catering to another strategy. Whatever the case, an explanation is in order and hopefully will be forthcoming. Owing to the fact that the headline is untrue and the article is woefully incomplete and misleading, the Jewish Bulletin should retract the article and publish a clarification.

You may recall that on 6/26, you stated very clearly and factually that, in fact, KQED was looking at airing the documentary but "had not chosen not to run it" and you closed with saying that we're still looking at it and we will consider it for air." Your statement was appropriate then and would have been appropriate for Ms. Wintroub when she spoke to Mr. Pine. Mr. Pine stated that he spoke to Ms. Wintroub on or about the 20th of July at which time she should have known that KQED did, in fact, on June 27th have the standard home VHS documentary accompanied by a film of a follow-up discussion, an interview with John Pilger and printed material relating to the approval process with the ITC, et al. On July 1st KQED received a "screening" copy which officially began the review process. Furthermore, the above statement that you made is "factual and comprehensive" information that Ms. Wintroub should have given to Mr. Pine. Had Ms. Wintroub spoken to Mr. Pine in April or May of this year, her published statements may have been accurate. Of what relevance is the following which was presumably provided by Ms. Wintroub: "the local PBS outlet never had scheduled 'Palestine Is Still The Issue' and the stations never had any plans to broadcast the special, and still has none"? It seems that a more appropriate, accurate and professional statement would have been that "there is an ongoing review and a decision is pending" - only ten words that convey the facts.

The headline was either an honest mistake based upon misleading information or simply yellow journalism. My statement about it being "abundantly clear" that it was meant to intimidate KQED and its staff was valid prior to my discussion with Mr. Pine and, unless the Jewish Bulletin publishes a correcting article, it will remain valid.

Based upon the headline, the content of the article and my discussion with Dan Pine, my "allegations" were not unfounded, inaccurate or inappropriate.

What originally started as a simple request by me and many others to air a very popular and appropriate documentary has been met with negative comments from "PBS and others" (secondhand sources); an inaccurate and misleading article in the Jewish Bulletin; and an orchestrated and scripted attack from the Jewish Community Relations Council.

I hope to speak with Mr. Pine as soon as he is available to clarify some other matters and ascertain that what he said yesterday is still valid today.

Thank you once again for your cooperation.

Best regards,

Fred Shepherd

Cc: Scott Dwyer, Program Director
Jeff Clarke, President & CEO
James Canales, Jr., Chairman of the Board
DeAnne Hamilton, Vice President & Station Manager
Anne Wintroub, Director of Media Relations
P. Evans, R. Ramirez, J. Wallace

August 19, 2003

From: Fred Shepherd

RE: KQED, JEWISH BULLETIN, DOCUMENTARY

Dear Mr. Boland:

As you may recall, I submitted considerable documentation regarding precedents for airing "Palestine Is Still The Issue" and noted that this documentary has been broadcast on commercial and public television stations throughout the world but not in the US, with the exception of WorldLink TV.

Among the many reasons this film has gained worldwide acceptance is that, in addition to its numerous awards, the award-winning journalist and filmmaker, John Pilger, has been recognized on numerous occasions for his preeminence as a journalist, author and documentarian. Such awards include:

1. The Sophie Prize - 2003. Mr. Pilger is the first journalist to be named the winner of one of the most distinguished prizes awarded. John Pilger, says the President of the Sophie Foundation in Oslo, Elin Ene, "has, in his documentaries, articles and books and through his integrity, thoroughness and courage, strengthened democracy and human dignity. He has managed to engage the public - morally and politically - for the protection of the powerless."

2. The Grand Prix Leonardo Award - 2003. This award was for his journalistic activity in defense of human rights.

3. The 2003 Chicago International Television Awards - "The Hugos." Certificate of Merit for a "News Documentary."

4. The Orange British Academy Film Awards - 2003 has nominated "Palestine Is Still The Issue" under their "current affairs" category.

5. The EMMA Awards - 2003. Mr. Pilger won the "Media Personality Of The Year" award. This is Britain's largest multicultural awards event. The awards were set up as an independent political initiative without any hidden commercial agendas or direct influence with any active pressure group. The judges cited, most notably, "Palestine Is Still The Issue" and commented that John Pilger "goes the extra mile to bring us the alternative truth." Mr. Pilger, speaking from Afghanistan, said: "The value of this award is that it is the result of a nationwide vote among Britain's multicultural community."

6. British Journalist Of The Year. Mr. Pilger has won this award two times. Only one other journalist has won the award twice.

In order to begin casting a more positive light on "Palestine Is Still The Issue," I would hope that you are as anxious as I am to resolve how the Jewish Bulletin could publish an article with numerous inaccuracies and with a headline that was blatantly false. As you know, I spoke with Mr. Weingarten on 8/11 to discuss the errors and request a retraction and reprint of the article. To date, he has declined. After speaking with Mr. Weingarten, I then called Dan Pine, the reporter, on 8/11 in order to confirm once again the information that Ms. Wintroub gave him and that he gave to me. Regarding the headline, how would you characterize Mr. Weingarten's motivation? Have you, or do you intend to, request that the Jewish Bulletin print a retraction and reprint? Anything that you can do to dispel the notion that KQED harbor's a bias against the film would be greatly appreciated.

In your letter of 8/6, you stated that "the reporter failed to include in his story her statement about KQED's ongoing review of the documentary and that we [KQED] had not reached a decision about whether or not to air it." Mr. Pine originally stated that Ms. Wintroub did not tell him that KQED had an "ongoing review" or "that we [KQED] had not reached a decision about whether or not to air it." In my second conversation with Mr. Pine on 8/11, he stated quite clearly and confidently that he had reviewed his notes with Ms. Wintroub after their original discussion and such notes did not include any mention of an "ongoing review" or "a decision whether or not to air it." He further verified that what was printed was what he was told and nothing more. There were no other words used by Ms. Wintroub to indicate the actual status of the documentary. Even without this verification, from where would Mr. Pine get such contradictory information? Also, he was left with the impression that KQED did not even have the documentary for review. If you have any new information regarding this matter, please advise.

Although you and I may be butting heads over the public's request to air the documentary, I would hope that you would not deprive the vast majority of viewers from seeing this meritorious film simply because a special interest minority does not want it seen.

In your letter of 8/6, you stated that KQED does not allow itself to be intimidated or pressured into any programming decision. If that is the case, why haven't you authorized the film for broadcast on KQED? The film has won and will continue to win prestigious awards. The creator of the documentary, John Pilger has and will continue to win prestigious awards for this work and others throughout the world. The film is being shown in other parts of the world where it is not subjected to pressure and intimidation. WorldLink TV has demonstrated its courage by airing the film twelve (12) times.

Thank you once again for your cooperation.

Best regards,

Fred Shepherd
Executive Director

Cc: Scott Dwyer, Program Director
Jeff Clarke, President & CEO
James Canales, Jr., Chairman of the Board
DeAnne Hamilton, Vice President and Station Manager
Anne Wintroub, Director of Media Relations
P. Evans, R. Ramirez, J. Wallace

Dear Mr. Boland:

Following is additional qualifying information that should have been included in my letter of August 19, 2003. Thank you.

JOHN PILGER - PREVIOUS AWARDS & AWARDS PENDING

1985 The Secret Country - The First Australians Fight Back
john Pilger and Alan Lowery uncover the story of a remarkable people - the Aborigines - with a unique 40,000-year past. Won a Red Ribbon (second prize) in the Anthropology category of the American Film Festival, New York, 1986.

1988 The Last Dream: Heroes Unsung; Secrets; Other People's Wars
In these three films, John Pilger and Alan Lowery return to Australia to celebrate the country's bicentenary, interviewing an extraordinary range of Australians, whose views are a long way from those of the treasured stereotypes. 'Heroes Unsung' won a Gold Plaque (third prize) in the 'Documentary-syndication category' of the Chicago International Film Festival in 1988.

1990 Cambodia The Betrayal
An examination of the continued secret support given by Western governments to the Khmer Rouge. Won a Blue Ribbon (first prize) in the 'International Issues: Asia category' of the American Film & Video Festival, Illinois, 1991; International Emmy Award for Best Documentary, New York, 1991; Pilger received the Richard Dimbleby Award for factual reporting at the 1990 BAFTA Awards.

1992 War by Other Means
John Pilger and David Munro examine the policy of First World banks agreeing loans with Third World countries, who are then unable to meet the crippling interest charges. Won Geneva International TV Award at the North-South Media Encounters event, Geneva, 1993;Gold Medal in the 'Best Documentary Production category' of the International Television Movie Festival, Mount Freedom, New Jersey 1993; Gold Award in the 'Political/International Issues category' at WorldFest-Houston (Houston International Film & Video Festival), 1993; Silver Hugo Award in the 'Documentary - Social/Political category' of the 29th Chicago International Film Festival, 1993.

Frontline - In Search Of Truth In Wartime

1993 Cambodia: Return to Year Zero
BAFTA and Emmy award-winning film-makers John Pilger and David Munro discover startling new evidence that the deadly Pol Pot regime is on the brink of returning to power. Won a Certificate of Honourable Mention at the 1993 Chris Awards, Worthington, Ohio, USA (Columbus International Film & Video Festival

1994 Death of a Nation: The Timor Conspiracy (updated in 1999)
The exposure of another terrible human tragedy to which governments turned a blind eye, East Timor - a tiny country off the northern tip of Australia - is ruled by bloodshed and fear. More than 200,000 people were wiped out by neighbouring Indonesia. Since East Timor's liberation in 1999, this film's contribution has been recognised worldwide. Won the Gold Award in the 'Political/International Issues category' (Film & Video Production division) at Worldfest-Houston, 1994; Certificate for Creative Excellence (third place) in the category of 'Documentary, Current Events, Special Events', at the U.S. Film & Video Festival in Chicago, 1994; Silver Plaque for 'Social/Political Documentary (National) category' at the Chicago International Film Festival, 1994; Audience Award for Best Documentary at the International Documentary Festival of Amsterdam, 1994; Certificate of Merit in the category of 'Documentary - Disputed Lands', Golden Gate Awards, San Francisco, 1995.

1994 Flying the Flag, Arming the World
John Pilger and David Munro look behind the political rhetoric and discover the world of international arms dealing. Won a Bronze Apple in the category of 'Domestic and International Concerns', National Educational Film & Video Festival, Oakland, California, 1995; Certificate of Honourable Mention in the 'International Relations' category, The Chris Awards (Columbus International Film Festival), Worthington, Ohio, 1995.

1995 Vietnam: The Last Battle
On 30 April 1975, longest war this century in Vietnam came to a close. This film attempts to rescue Vietnam's past from media oblivion and describes its last battle against the forces of globalization. Won the Chris Statuette (the highest award given to film or video productions in each of the nine production divisions) for the 'Social Issues division' of the Chris Awards, Columbus International Film Festival, Worthington, Ohio, 1995; Silver Medal in the 'National/International Affairs category' of the New York Film & TV Festival, 1996; Gold Special Jury Award in the 'Film & Video Production division' of Worldfest-Charleston, Charleston, USA, 1995; Gold Apple (Best of Category award) in the 'International Social Issues category', National Educational Media Network Awards, Oakland, California, 1996; Silver Screen Award (second place) in the category of 'Politics, Government, Citizenship, World Relations, Civics', U.S. International Film & Video Festival, Chicago, USA, 1996.

1996 Inside Burma: Land of Fear (updated 1998)
BAFTA and Emmy award-winning film-makers John Pilger and David Munro for undercover in one of the world's most isolated, and extraordinary countries, Burma, which Amnesty International calls 'a prison without bars'. They discover slave labour preparing for tourism and foreign investment. International Actual Award for Risk Journalism, Barcelona, Spain, 1996; Bronze Plaque in the category of 'Social Issues - International Relations', The Chris Awards, Ohio, 1996; Gold Special Jury Award, 'Film & Video Production division', WorldFest-Charleston, 1996; Award for Best Factual Programme, RTS Midland Centre Awards, Birmingham, 1996; Gold Apple in the category 'Politics: Social organisations in other lands', National Educational Media Network Film & Video Competition at The 1997 NEMN Apple Awards, Oakland, California, 1997; the updated version won a Gold Special Jury Award in the 'Film & Video Production division', WorldFest-Houston, 1999.

1997 Breaking the Mirror - The Murdoch Effect
The British public were told that the new information technology, heralded by The Sun's move to Wapping, would bring a greater variety of newspapers and a more diverse media. But it produced a contracted press controlled by ever fewer proprietors. John Pilger describes the downfall of his old paper and the all-pervasive influence of Rupert Murdoch.

1998 South Africa: Apartheid did not Die
John Pilger was banned from South Africa for his reporting during the apartheid era. On his return thirty years later with Alan Lowery, he describes the extraordinary generosity of a liberated people, but asks who are the true beneficiaries of a democracy - the black majority or the white minority? Won the Gold Award in the category of 'Film & Video Production: Political/International Issues', Worldfest-Flagstaff, 1998; Certificate for Creative Excellence (third place), U.S. International Film & Video Festival, Elmhurst, Illinois, 1999.

1999 Welcome to Australia
With the run-up to the Sydney Olympics, John Pilger and Alan Lowery take a look at what's behind the curtain of hype and glamour. Australia's Aborigines are still excluded, impoverished and mistreated - while their part in the brilliant histtory of Australia's sports successes goes virtually unrecognized. Won the Gold Medal in the 'National/International Affairs category' of the 1999 New York Festivals TV Programming & Promotion competition, 2000; Gold Award in the Television Documentary & Information Programmes: 'Political/International Issues category' of WorldFest-Flagstaff, 1999

2000 Paying The Price: Killing the Children of Iraq
John Pilger and Alan Lowery travel to Iraq with Denis Halliday, a former assistant secretary-general of the United Nations who resigned over what he called the "immoral policy" of economic sanctions. There they find a suffering nation held hostage to the compliance of a dictator, Saddam Hussein, over whom they have no control.

2001 The New Rulers Of The World
John Pilger explores the impact of globalization, taking Indonesia as his prime example, a country that the World Bank described as a "model pupil" until its 'globalized' economy collapsed in 1998. Under scrutiny are the increasingly powerful multinationals and the institutions that back them, notably the IMF and The World Bank.


Best regards,

Fred Shepherd

Cc: Scott Dwyer, Program Director
Jeff Clarke, President & CEO
James Canales, Jr. Chairman of the Board
DeAnne Hamilton, Vice President and Station Manager
P. Evans, R. Ramirez, J. Wallace

September 21, 2003

From: John Boland

Dear Mr. Shepherd:

I am writing in response to several recent emails from you expressing disappointment based on the belief that KQED has decided not to broadcast John Pilger's film, Palestine is Still the Issue. You have also inferred that KQED is under some considerable pressure not to air this particular film.

Rather than revisiting the stated reasons for your concern -- ranging from your conversations with KQED staff to an article in a local Jewish newspaper -- I will rather try to set the record straight and provide a status report.

* First, KQED has not made a final decision against broadcasting Palestine is Still the Issue. We are not planning to air the film this fall, but it is still under consideration for broadcast early in 2004 (see below).

* Second, KQED has determined that the greatest service to our community will be to air two or more films on the subject of the Israeli-Palestinian issue, as a "special series" in early 2004. Since this is such a complex, heated issue with passionately held points of view from all directions, we believe two or more films, approaching the key issues from different viewpoints, would make a worthwhile and informative "package."

* Third, KQED programming management is currently seeking and reviewing documentaries for inclusion in the special series cited above. Palestine is Still the Issue is on the list. We would welcome additional recommendations from you or others in the community. Given the constantly changing situation in the Middle East and the passion with which many filmmakers approach the issue, among our keys concerns are finding films that are of high quality, not "dated," and adhere to journalistic ethics.

As I have stated in previous correspondence, KQED is not "under pressure" from either side of this issue. We have received a number of emails and phone calls encouraging KQED to air Mr. Pilger's documentary. We appreciate the thoughtful comments and genuine concern of those who have contacted us. We have received a much smaller number of equally thoughtful correspondence urging that we not air the documentary. We consider the comments from both sides valuable community input and, in neither case, pressure.

As the management entrusted with the operation of this important community resource, we at KQED take seriously our mission "to provide the people of Northern California with consistently high quality, non-commercial media that inform, educate and entertain." We work hard to maintain the highest standards for the content we put on the air. It is a great responsibility that we take seriously. That is the only "pressure" we feel.

While your attention seems to be focused particularly on Mr. Pilger's film, I am sure you realize that KQED television, radio and kqed.org regularly cover the Israeli-Palestinian issue from a variety of angles through a range of programs from our own series, like FRONTLINE/World and Forum, to PBS, NPR, BBC and independently-produced content. A search of KQED's web site and program listings will give you a sense of the breadth and depth of coverage.

We very much appreciate your interest in KQED and your recommendations. We will be back in touch when we have concrete information about our intentions in regard to Palestine is Still the Issue.

Sincerely,

John L. Boland

Alison Weir of "If Americans Knew":

www.ifamericansknew.org

9-27-03

From: Basil Ayish

September 27, 2003 Several advocates of keeping KQED true to its mission addressed the board meeting on Wednesday, after which there was a rally and showing of "Palestine Is Still The Issue" outside. There were only a few people who showed up for the rally but I do believe their activities complemented the message we delivered inside. Naturally, more participants would have been better. Our job is not done, yet. John Boland has recently sent letters to some of you continuing to suggest that PISTI still is under consideration in one paragraph, and in another mentioning a possible combination of programs, but without material that would be "dated". The kicker is that he is talking about doing this NEXT YEAR! That should insure PISTI would be "dated". If you have not gotten a response to your letters from KQED yet, you might send a note and ask what is taking so long to make a decision.

For now, I thought I would share my statement to the board with you. It lays out John Boland's duplicitous statements and rejection of public input despite all the thoughtful and sincere letters urging KQED to air PISTI.

Regards,

Basil Ayish

Phone: 415-459-8738 = E-mail: [email protected]