Take A Stand

We would like to ask members of the Jewish community in Metro Detroit to withhold their con-
tributions to WTVS-Channel 56 because of the station's latest broadcast of an anti-Israel program which
the station acknowledged was unbalanced and biased.

Our reasoning is simple:
The program,"The People and the Land,"was pure propaganda — the station admitted as much —
and we should not be asked to help finance the airing of such anti-Israel"documentaries."

Several other public television stations around the country, recognizing the program as propaganda,
rejected requests to air it.
The broadcast is troubling because this is not the first time WTVS or, for that matter, other public
television stations, have aired such slanted programs.

We want to state very clearly and forcefully that we believe in freedom of the press and the First
Amendment.We do not question the station's right to air the program.

Also, we support the mandate given public television stations to air different points of view and
to air more programs produced by independent directors.

We welcome the airing of diverse political opinions but we believe that WTVS should not let it-
self be used as a propaganda medium.

It defies logic and good sense to suggest that the Jewish community should help finance the airing
of material which contributes to its own detriment.The station can hardly argue that broadcasting
biased material somehow serves the public interest.

We have never heard a media institution defend printing or broadcasting admittedly biased mate-
rial.We wonder and are puzzled as to whyWTVS made the decision to air "The People and the Land,"
especially when it recognized the propaganda aspects of the show.

The Middle East crisis certainly needs and deserves full and unfettered debate, including criticism
of Israel when warranted and based on factual analysis. But the Middle East debate should be a responsible
one.
Admittedly, ews and its body politic are generally opposed to such political activism. But it is time
to take a stand. We are confident that Blacks, gays, women, Hispanics and other groups which are
the targets of discrimination, bigotry, and propaganda would protest similarly if they were subjects
of admittedly unbalanced and distorting reporting. Indeed, we believe their protests would be more
vehement — and rightly so. And many Jews, to their credit, would support and join in their protests.
We should continue our admirable record in civil rights but let's also stand up for ourselves.

Whatever the reason forWTVS' decision, the Jewish community should not support a station which
airs programs that unfairly and with bias criticize Israel and the Jewish people.

If you have questions or would like to join in this effort, please call us at 248-855-8362.

11/21
1997

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Zionist Organization of America,
Michigan Jewish War Veterans,
La'Asot (To Do), Americans For A Safe Israel