PBS WHITEWASH OF FILM ON ISLAM: Frank J. Gaffney Jr. has an article today about PBS and their suppressing a film--paid for by the taxpayer--entitled Islam vs. Islamists: Voices from the Muslim Center. [Note: Gaffney is a partner in the making of the film]

A choice excerpt from the article:

Then [Congressman Jim] Walsh threw down the gauntlet: “Based on what I’ve heard, there has been a longstanding and concerted effort to ensure that the American people, who paid for the production of this documentary, do not see it.”

The responses to these remarks were, at best, inaccurate and misleading. Two exchanges are illustrative. At one point, PBS’s Kerger told Rep. Walsh that Islam vs. Islamists had “not been rejected for air. The film is still in development and production. The film that you have is not a finished film.” Mr. Walsh replied, correctly, “I spoke with the producer. That film is finished.”

Then CPB’s Harrison interjected: “The problem is…they have two hours of material. They must get it down to one.” The congressman held up the finished, 52-minute show, saying, “I believe this…DVD is an hour long.”

Jim Walsh’s cross-examination laid bare an effort to mask what has been going on with respect to Islam vs. Islamists for over a year: a determined, sometimes vicious effort to have the “conservatives” involved in the project forced out, and to compel the filmmakers to alter their documentary to the point of its being unrecognizable.

It is nothing new to see such behavior from those on the Left ensconced in decision-making positions at the Public Broadcasting Service and many of its member stations and subordinate organizations, like the Independent Television Service (ITVS). Rarely, however, has this conduct been better documented than in this instance. (A collection of the documentation can be examined here.)

Read the whole thing.

Technorati Tag: Islamists and Moderate Muslims and PBS.