Leaked PBS Memo Reveals Improper Political Agenda

Discovery Institute via US Newswire ^ | 09/27/2001 | Discovery Institute

[Nora]

Discovery Institute: Memo Reveals 'Evolution' Agenda

U.S. Newswire
27 Sep 6:00

Leaked PBS Memo Reveals Improper Political Agenda Behind 'Evolution' Series, Says Discovery Institute

To: National Desk, Science and Education Reporters
Contact: Mark Edwards of the Discovery Institute, 206-292-0401, ext. 107;
e-mail: medwards@discovery.org

SEATTLE, Sept. 27 /U.S. Newswire/ -- An internal PBS memo made public today reveals an improper political agenda behind WGBH/Clear Blue Sky's ongoing series "Evolution", according to the Seattle-based Discovery Institute. The memo describes how "Evolution" will be used to influence government officials and promote political action in order to shape how evolution is taught in public schools.

Dated June 15, 2001, the memo bears the title "The Evolution Controversy, Use It or Lose It: Evolution Project/WGBH Boston" The document outlines the overall goals of the ongoing PBS series Evolution and describes the marketing strategy for the series. The complete text of the PBS memo is posted at http://www.reviewevolution.com.

According to the document, which was leaked by a source within PBS, one of the goals of "Evolution" is to "co-opt existing local dialogue about teaching evolution in schools." Another goal is to "promote participation," including "getting involved with local school boards."

In addition, the document identifies "government officials" as one of the target audiences for the series, and it describes a publicity campaign accompanying the series that will include writing op-eds for newspapers and "guerilla/viral marketing."

"Clearly, one purpose of 'Evolution' is to influence Congress and school boards and to promote political action regarding how evolution is taught in public schools," says Discovery Institute President Bruce Chapman. "In fact, 'Evolution's' marketing plan seems to have the trappings of a political campaign."

"Public television is funded in part by American taxpayers, and it should be held to high standards of fairness. It is inappropriate for public broadcasting to engage in activities designed to directly influence the political process by promoting one viewpoint at the expense of others," said Chapman.

According to Discovery Institute's John West, the political agenda behind "Evolution" is made even more explicit by its enlistment of Eugenie Scott as one of the official spokespersons for the series.

Scott runs the National Center for Science Education (NCSE), an advocacy group that by its own description is dedicated to "defending the teaching of evolution in the public schools." According to the group's Web site, the NCSE provides "expert testimony for school board hearings," supplies citizens with "advice on how to organize" when "faced with local creationist challenges," and assists legal organizations that litigate "evolution/creation cases."

"The NCSE is a single-issue group that takes only one side in the political debate over evolution in public education," says West, an Associate Professor of Political Science at Seattle Pacific University. "It is inappropriate for public television to enlist NCSE's executive director as an official spokesperson for this program."

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Founded in 1990, Discovery Institute is a non-profit, non- partisan public policy center for science, technology, regional development, environment, and defense. More information about the Institute and its activities can be found at www.discovery.org.

KEYWORDS:
SCIENCE, EDUCATION

-0-
/U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/
09/27 06:00
Copyright 2001, U.S. Newswire

[Nora]

Probably no comment needed.

[KC_Conspirator]

This comes as no surprise. I remember PBS got in trouble for giving their donation list to the democrats. The only redeeming thing about PBS is Big Bird and "Frontline", which allows some great investigative shows such as "Once Upon a Time in Arkansas".(which might be the best piece ever done about Whitewater)

[freedomlover]

I am shocked, shocked I tell you!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Round up the usual suspects.

[Mr. Lucky]

And do these "creationists" that you seem intent to wage such a jihad against receive your tax money to support their silliness as do the Darwinians. Perhaps it's their exercise of their First Amendment rights that has you fluttering about so.

[Wm Bach]

I hope it works.

[BubbaLaw]

What, PBS has a liberal bias? Who would have ever dreamed it!

[dubyagee]

No agenda here, is there?

[dubyagee]

Agenda?????

[rvoitier]

Evolution makes me wonder that if we came from apes, then why are they still here?

[Wm Bach]

Even a stopped clock... Good for PBS for pushing this agenda. I'd rather see them pushing science then gun control, anyday.

[duvausa]

"And do these "creationists" that you seem intent to wage such a jihad against receive your tax money to support their silliness as do the Darwinians. Perhaps it's their exercise of their First Amendment rights that has you fluttering about so."

Good response. I personally believe the evolution theory is probably going in the right direction, though all the details are hardly settled science. Which makes it so strange that so many have made a "religion" out of cramming evolution down childrens' throats and are so afraid of anyone mentioning any other theory.

[Nyralthotep]

Show me the evidence that evolution is a scientific law and not a theory. I can see evidence of the law of gravity, I can see evidence of the 2nd law of thermodynamics. What I can't see is any truly irrefutable evidence of creation or evolution. I have my opinion, based on interpretaion of evidences found but there is no concencus of ALL scientists that evolution or creation are in fact anything more than theories. I don't want theories taught to my children as fact. I want them taught as theories and let the children view both sides of the issue.

[PatrickHenry]

No agenda here, is there?

Only a sincere desire to take back education from the Taliban creationists, so that kids can grow up able to think rationally. Horrible thought, huh? However, if it were up to me, I'd take the gov't out of the education business altogether, and let the free market run the schools. Better, cheaper, and free from coersion too.

[RicocheT]

PBS = Probably Bull S**t

I Rarely watch the PBS stations and never respond to their fundraising pleas.

[Cold Heat]

Just proves the fact that public money is being used by socialists, marxists and others to screw up our way of life. We always knew this, It is no surprise, but I am still shocked by the in your face attitude of these people. The clinton 8, as I callit is responsible. The country could have handled 4 years of bill and hill and recovered fairly quickly.. but 8 years left festering wounds. Let us continue to heal by exposing this infection when we find it. Great post!

[GretchenEE]

A visit to the Vomitorium is in order.

Bump for later and more thorough perusal when I don't have breakfast to lose.

[proud American in Canada]

Regarding evidence, I'm probably stepping in way above my head here, but what about carbon dating? Doesn't that show that fossils, etc., are millions of years old?

[realpatriot71]

I'm not particularly surprised. However, I think I children should learn and understand evolutionary theory. Changes in species due to changes in genetic frequencies, competition, predation, etc. do happen. It's obviously a HUGE step (leap of faith if you ask me) to go from there to an abiotic beginning of life.

If parents are so concerned with their kid's understanding of origins, then they should do their own research and teach their own kids.