Did PBS pass up "Citizen Koch" because David Koch sat on WNET board?

By Renee Fox

28 October 2013

There is no denying the conservative activism David Koch funds through nonprofit groups like Americans for Prosperity and David H. Koch Charitable Foundation. He has also given away millions to museums and schools. So is it a problem if Koch sits on the board of a couple PBS affiliates?

The creators of Citizen Koch, Tia Lessin and Carl Deal, believe the presence of Koch on the board of PBS station WNET (NY) led to a decision by Independent Lens (ITVS) to not broadcast their film.

The documentary, "explores what the Wisconsin playbook and the U.S. Supreme Court decision that unleashed a new era of unbridled special-interest spending means for us all. And it poses a crucial question: Who owns democracy in America?"

Koch resigned his seat on the board of WNET shortly after ITVS said the film was not selected because clips of the film did not reflect the information in the written proposal. Brian Stetler of the New York Times documents claims from the film makers that trouble arose after the name of it was changed from Citizen Corp to Citizen Koch.

PBS' Ombudsman blogger, Michael Getler acknowledges the $23 million David Koch has donated to produce programming and his active participation on Boston's WBGH. Although he hasn't seen the film, which aired at Sundance, he cites reviews of the film that demonstrate its bias and loose fact checking.

Supporters of the film petitioned PBS to air it after money was raised to finish its production, some 140 people sent emails asking Getler to, "Please fight censorship from the Koch brothers and air 'Citizen Koch.' Individuals like the Kochs should not have the power to censor public television just because of their personal wealth."  

Getler responds, "Whatever the good intentions of the petitioners to fight censorship, there is no evidence that David Koch interfered with or tried to censor these films."

Like many viewers I expect high quality, factual programming from PBS. If this film did not satisfy editors and producers I am inclined to respect that, because I believe PBS is one the best providers of unbiased media. I could not find any concrete evidence that Koch influenced the editorial decision.

I have not seen the film, but I have seen Trouble the Water, one of Lessin and Deal's other documentaries about Hurricane Katrina. The winner of Sundance's Grand Jury prize, the duo has earned the respect of many for highlighting troubling societal issues. However, Fahrenheit 9/11, which they produced, might be said to have liberal leanings.

Koch is acting within the law whether he donates money to a conservative politician or public television; and public television needs that money more than ever. User-funded media suffered in the struggling economy and last year Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) suggested Congress de-fund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

In order to build and retain confidence in journalism's ability to "comfort the afflicted and afflict the comforted" media outlets should be careful about selecting board members and administrators. Koch's relationship as a donor to PBS is much needed but his presence on the board of an affiliate station creates concerns for viewers who don't want to see his conservative politics influence programming.