too young to fall asleep ([info]internautte) wrote in [info]npr_junkie,
@ 2007-10-12 11:01:00
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Current mood: grumpy
Entry tags:local stations, politics

Send a message to WDUQ and Duquesne University.
Oh no. This comes from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Please send a message if you have a few minutes.

WDUQ is currently running a pledge drive asking for your money, but they've decided they won't accept ours. After allowing Planned Parenthood to underwrite news segments for only two days, the public radio station decided they could no longer tell the listening audience about comprehensive sexuality education, cancer screening, or preventive health care.

According to Scott Hanley, WDUQ’s station manager, Duquesne University has instructed WDUQ to refuse underwriting from Planned Parenthood. It seems the University is now dictating who can give money to the flagship NPR station, and what they can air. And apparently that means Planned Parenthood's message of prevention can't see the airwaves.  

Planned Parenthood believes in public radio and has long admired WDUQ for its pledge to independence and integrity as a news station. We're also proud of the work we do to ensure strong and healthy families by providing men and women in need with healthcare services and information.

Like WDUQ, Planned Parenthood believes that public radio belongs to the public. Duquesne University shouldn't be able to tell WDUQ not to air our message or accept our donations. We hope you won't let this stand. You can read more about what happened at right, including the messages that won't air. Then please contact WDUQ and Duquesne University to tell them to reverse their decision.

Click on "Take Action" to get contact information for phone numbers and letters. We've provided sample letters, but please change them to reflect your feelings. Letters will go to Scott Hanley, the station manager, and Dr. Charles Dougherty, the president of Duquesne University.

 

 



Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):
Dr. Charles Dougherty (if you live in Pennsylvania)
Mr. Scott Hanley (if you live in Pennsylvania)

Below is the sample letter:

Subject: Don't Deny Planned Parenthood Air Time

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

I was disturbed to hear that Pittsburgh area's public radio station refused to allow Planned Parenthood to underwrite a news segment.
As a supporter of both public radio and Planned Parenthood, I feel that WDUQ should gladly air Planned Parenthood's prevention message. Unless Duquesne University is screening every donor to find out whether they adhere to, or are in conflict with, Catholic doctrine, then it's clear that Planned Parenthood is being singled out unjustly. Please reconsider your decision to refuse Planned Parenthood's underwriting.

Sincerely,



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What's At Stake:

On Wednesday afternoon, WDUQ (90.5 Pittsburgh, 100.5 Johnstown, 104.1 in Ligonier and Somerset, 92.3 New Baltimore) pulled Planned Parenthood prevention and education statements that started this past Monday as part of an underwriting campaign.

Planned Parenthood received the following message, “Unfortunately, WDUQ has been ordered by theDuquesne University administration to immediately cease airing the acknowledgment of underwriting support from Planned Parenthood.  Accordingly, as the university holds our license, we must pull your remaining schedule.”

These ads, from a consortium of Planned Parenthood affiliates across PA,Delaware and NJ, are running in all three states. WDUQ is the *only* station to refuse to air them.

What messages are too controversial?

  • Support for DUQ comes from Planned Parenthood, offering healthcare services to men, including screenings for cancer and STDs.  Planned Parenthood:  Their mission is prevention.

    • As you know, more than 90 percent of Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania's work is preventing sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies. We serve thousands of men and women each year with annual cancer screen and contraception. We reach thousands more with our message of responsible decision making.

    We believe the local NPR affilliate WDUQ is an important voice in our community. We believe in the work we do as well.  Planned Parenthood is proud to help create strong families by providing healthcare to men and women in need. We know that the message of prevention -- whether that's annual cancer screenings, sexually transmitted infection testing, or contraception, is a positive one. We're outraged that DUQ would refuse to air our message, and we hope that you are too. Please consider contacting DUQ and Duquesne University by sending them an email, to let them know that Planned Parenthood's message about prevention deserves to be heard.

     

     


    Campaign Expiration Date:
    November 10, 2007

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(Post a new comment)


[info]tinkerbell_mk
2007-10-12 03:32 pm UTC (link)
This is a great cause, thanks for posting

(Reply to this)


[info]ckocher
2007-10-12 03:33 pm UTC (link)
My opinion is based solely on what I read above.

I hope that people won't punish WDUQ by yanking memberships or starting a boycott against them over this as it sounds like the decision was made at levels beyond station management. Contacting WDUQ is fine but doubtful that there's anything they can do.

Of course, I'm not sure that the underwriting department should have ever gone through with a contract with Planned Parenthood without approval from Duquesne, given the Catholic Church's doctrine on issues that are at the heart of Planned Parenthood's own mission. It's not a judgment about either institution, more that the underwriting department should have stopped for a moment to think about how this might not have been the best idea in the first place.

My station's membership drive starts Saturday morning - it's that most wonderful time of the year!

(only slightly sarcastic)

(Reply to this) (Thread)
more information (just in.)
[info]internautte
2007-10-12 03:47 pm UTC (link)
a colleague forwarded me a letter that a PP supporter wrote; here is an excerpt:

The 'mentions' follow the underwriting guidelines as noted on your website. In fact, as you well know, the guidelines note: Announcements of a religious nature or promoting a political position or cause are unacceptable, regardless of the merits of the particular cause, issue or party. In this case, it is Duquesne University who is not following its own guidelines.

Looking at your underwriting list of those who have made a substantial investment at DUQ, I noted several investment organizations and wondered how many of them invest in any industry that has practices that are not considered Christian? Closer to home, I contacted Reproductive Health Services and asked if they could refer me to someplace to terminate a pregnancy and they did. Will you drop them as underwriters because they are a full service reproductive health resource?


Inneresting.

http://www.wduq.org/development/underwritingguide.html
http://wduq.org/development/underwriters.html

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]lightfromlight
2007-10-12 03:48 pm UTC (link)
Uh, let me guess: WDUQ is also the only station in the consortium housed at a Catholic university.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]flarn_chef
2007-10-13 01:11 am UTC (link)
Sadly yesssss...

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]lightfromlight
2007-10-13 02:39 am UTC (link)
It seems it would be a better idea for the station to sever ties with the university rather than having a campaign of self-righteous rage trying to get a Catholic-affiliated organization to accept money from an organization that, from a Catholic perspective, exists chiefly to give out birth control and perform abortions, neither of which are things that are, you know, good.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]lightfromlight
2007-10-13 02:40 am UTC (link)
That sentence is longer than it should be. Hm.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]flarn_chef
2007-10-13 02:57 am UTC (link)
Stream of consciences.....

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]flarn_chef
2007-10-13 02:55 am UTC (link)
Unfortunately the university does supply the station with advantages. It just surprises me that in this day and age funding would come down to this, but I am also stunned that this kind of stupid self righteous crap hadn't happened sooner.
I love WDUQ, and I certainly will pitch a bitch when I donate again.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]lightfromlight
2007-10-13 03:23 am UTC (link)
"In this day and age"? The Catholic Church stands against abortion and birth control.* That hasn't changed, and will not change. If they want to accept money from Planned Parenthood, they cannot be affiliated with a Catholic institution. If they want to run those underwriting spots, they can do so when what they do is not representative of Duquesne.

My local station took a financial hit rather than be affiliated with a Catholic college that would have forbidden discussion of abortion on-air at all, and I admire them for it.


* - Doctrinally and institutionally. Behavior of actual Catholics may vary.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]flarn_chef
2007-10-13 12:04 pm UTC (link)
I totally understand the Catholic Church doctrine. Well maybe not totally being that I am Jewish, but I do work at a Convent, which has been an education.
Frankly I don't understand why it is happening now and not back during the Reagan or Pappa Bush eras.
Pittsburgh can be such a backward town sometimes. :::shakes head:::

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]scherzoid
2007-10-13 04:06 am UTC (link)
[Replying to your reply simply because I *LOVE* the username... Personally, I've always preferred spoo. But only if it's fresh.]

I've never listened to WDUQ (when I'm in PA it's almost always WHYY/WXPN territory), but I can't say that I'm surprised considering the licensee. Then again, I've worked for community licensees that have rejected even less controversial spots.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]flarn_chef
2007-10-13 11:59 am UTC (link)
I'm just surprised this never came up during the 'first' Bush era.

NOTE: Sorry I prefer my Spoo medium rare. *wink*

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]cicipsychobunny
2007-10-14 08:38 pm UTC (link)
Fresh spoo? ARE YOU MAD?

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]wiebke
2007-10-12 04:03 pm UTC (link)
Wow. I do wonder what they would say to one of those sonogram-offering pro-life counseling centers. Maybe they already said no to them, which would make them have to say no to PP as well? I don't know the background, obviously, but I know when I worked at a college newspaper we had to run some horrible ads (or refuse to) to be fair. It's quite a bind.

(Reply to this)


[info]reallyamermaid
2007-10-13 02:03 am UTC (link)
As someone who used to receive these letters, here's my 2 cents. If you're not in their listening area, they're going to write you off immediately. Because even if they change their policies, they're still not likely to get your pledge dollars. If you are a listener, please don't send the form letter. Use it for ideas, sure. But if you're outraged, please get creative with your outrage. Every time a form letter like this is circulated, the person receiving the emails gets bored very quickly. And trust me, the people in charge are not the ones who sift through these letters. Only individualized letters stand out and get moved up the food chain. Otherwise, the people who make the decisions will just receive a summary email at the end of the day or week saying "...and we got 6 more of those chain things." If you are obviously using someone else's words, they will think that you don't have any of your own and therefore don't care as much about the situation as you claim to.

(Reply to this)


[info]hussla
2007-10-13 07:11 am UTC (link)
I pretty much have to side with the University, not so much because I feel that the current "establishment" pro-life movement represents me in any way, but because a private university ought to be entitled to make its own decisions whenever it feels like it. I doubt Duquesne feels any particular pressure (or ought to) to adhere to anything it decides it doesn't like. There oughtn't be any question as to whether they can impose their values on their own radio signal. I listen to NPR on a station here in St. Louis that's centered at a public, state university. Perhaps WDUQ should take a cue from my local affiliate. If they don't like it, they're free to align with a non-religious organization. I mean, they're in Pittsburg, not the middle of nowhere; there's got to be other options. What's the problem?

(Reply to this)


[info]kevbo_
2007-10-13 09:31 am UTC (link)
Maybe it wasn't the best choice for Duquesne to establish an NPR station in the first place. This makes me think of recent cases where Catholic hospitals have refused to provide some procedures on moral grounds, often in locales where choice of health providers is limited.

There is plenty of reporting and some editorial advocacy on NPR (from a variety of sources and programs) that certainly isn't wholly in keeping with Catholic doctrine and dogma. So one wonders why Duquesne would create said station and then object only to how the programming is funded?

As indicated above, Duquesne is unlikely to value the opinion of listeners outside of the region. However, the propagation of this story might serve to secure WDUQ the independence from university mores that is befitting an NPR station.

From my previous career in radio, another angle of approach that comes to mind is to draw attention to how DUQ, by the university's actions, is perhaps unable to fully serve the public. The FCC considers such matters when licenses are challenged or up for renewal. Perhaps with regard to sponsorship, this may be a tenuous ploy at best though. Usually it is a matter of a lack of certain programming that substantiates such challenges.

I've never heard of a case like this before in regard to public radio. Does it have any precedent?

(Reply to this)


[info]stratyllis
2007-10-15 02:51 am UTC (link)
Our icon was made by [info]jaig, please credit.

(Reply to this)

An alternative letter
[info]5010
2007-10-15 02:49 pm UTC (link)
So abortiondebate has degenerated to pro-abortion calls to action instead of offering an issue for discussion.

Pro-choicers: read below and ask yourselves what you would have thought if the original topic were send by a supporter. Do you think abortiondebate is any place for stuff like this? I don't.

For all of you who are in support of their decision, here is a sample letter you can send.

Subject: Keep Denying Planned Parenthood Air Time

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

I was happy to hear that Pittsburgh area's public radio station refused to allow Planned Parenthood to underwrite a news segment.
As a supporter of public radio but not Planned Parenthood, I feel that WDUQ should avoid airing any message from Planned Parenthood. Because of their very public practice and stance on abortion, which is in direct conflict with Catholic doctrine, funds and messages from organisations like Planned Parenthood are rightly refused. Thank you for your decision to refuse Planned Parenthood's underwriting.

Sincerely,

(Reply to this) (Thread)
Re: An alternative letter
[info]internautte
2007-10-15 03:50 pm UTC (link)
Here's a posting I wrote to a listserv about this topic. It relates to your 'alternative letter.'
-----------

I'd also like to point out that the other underwriters of WDUQ do not necessarily fit into the holistic Duquesne/Catholic doctrine. (For a full list of other underwriters, see: http://wduq.org/development/underwriters.html )


* "Bayer Corporation" has been involved in a number of scandals that involve Medicaid fraud and contaminating US supplies of rice due to irresponsible agrobusiness practices. (see http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B07E1DD163AF934A25757C0A9659C8B63 and http://today.reuters.com/News/CrisesArticle.aspx?storyId=N8S372113 ) Bayer Cropscience pursues the development of Genetically Modified Organisms, a practice which has been critiqued by Catholic organizations (http://www.ncrlc.com/Saint-John's-University.html) Here's an excerpt of a critique by the "National Catholic Rural Life Conference"

The National Catholic Rural Life Conference believes that plant and animal bio-technology must respect the sacredness of created life. The technology of genetic engineering requires an ethical critique of its social and economic consequences and a close scrutiny of the power and control over agricultural practices. A reverent understanding of Creation and a firm belief in a revealed purpose for humankind here on Earth leads to how we should interact with the physical world and our fellow human beings. Our position on agricultural biotechnology reflects a care for creation, a care for community and a just expression for rural areas dependent on agricultural production and for all impoverished areas suffering from hunger. NCRLC believes that poverty and development issues are the significant issues in this examination, not simply the capacity of production.


Other scandals Bayer has been involved in:
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/summary/286/5437/39c
http://www.haemophilia-litigation.com/

* "Highmark" has been cited by the FCC for misusing corporate dollars for political endorsements. (See http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07103/777609-28.stm ) The company has denied wheelchairs to the disabled (http://www.mouthmag.com/issues/81/81_pg20_eleanor.html), health care to the mentally ill (http://www.paproviders.org/Pages/General_News_Archive/Psychiatrists_Suit_061099.html) and has been sued for not providing clear information to the elderly (http://www.aarp.org/research/press-center/presscurrentnews/class_action_suit_settlement.html )

(Since when are lying, fraud, and misrepresentation Catholic values?)

* And, believe it or not, another underwriter, "Reproductive Health Specialists" but also provide direction in terms of where women can obtain birth control and other reproductive health information. See here: http://wduq.org/development/underwriters.html

The point of this post is that if Duquesne is going to cherry pick the causes and organizations that they "disagree" with, then they are disobeying their own underwriting policy:


Announcements of a religious nature or promoting a political position or cause are unacceptable, regardless of the merits of the particular cause, issue or party. http://www.wduq.org/development/underwritingguide.html



PP is a women's health organization whose services are utilized by women and men of every political persuasion and religion (yes, Catholics too.) It seems suspiciously political that Duquesne would deny this particular organization its fair air time.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

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