PBS'S ERVIN DUGGAN

July 20, 1999
		Testimony of Ervin S. Duggan President and Chief Executive Officer Public Broadcasting Service before the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade and Consumer Production.

Public Broadcasting Investigation Congress background reports   House of Representatives PBS Subcommittee on Communications Commerce Committee Democrats

Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee. I am Ervin Duggan, president and chief executive officer of Public Broadcasting Service. We appreciate the opportunity to participate in this hearing. Because PBS cares about maintaining the trust of the American people, we are deeply concerned about the events that occasion this hearing. We believe emphatically that any conduct having even the appearance of partisan political activity by a public broadcaster cannot be condoned. The stations involved have underscored that list exchanges are standard among nonprofits and that their conduct was focused on fundraising, not politics. Nevertheless, PBS, together with CPB, NPR and America's public television stations, issued a joint statement last week underscoring our position that such practices are not to be condoned. Many stations do have policies about such practices. Clearly, however, these policies need better auditing and enforcement mechanisms – and they need to be universal. Fortunately, our stations are now acutely aware of this issue and are taking steps to address it quickly and forthrightly. In light of these recent developments, PBS's development office and our Development Advisory Committee are issuing an advisory this week strongly urging our member stations to establish policies strictly prohibiting the exchange or rental of lists to partisan political campaigns, committees or groups. As you know from our hearing in June, we have many ideas for using digital technology for education, culture, and citizenship. As the subcommittee moves forward, therefore, we hope that you will find ways to address this issue without damaging the essential and constructive contributions that public broadcasting makes to American life. We welcome the opportunity to work with you in any way to address this issue appropriately, effectively and constructively.

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