WASHINGTON -- As the Corp. for Public Broadcasting inspector general's investigation into chairman Ken Tomlinson nears its end, a dozen media watchdog groups called on CPB prexy Patricia de Stacy Harrison to improve "openness and accountability" inside the org buffeted by accusations that it's attempted to politicize content.
In a letter sent Wednesday to Harrison, the groups repeated requests they made in early July that she adopt measures to make CPB "more transparent and accountable to the American public." Harrison responded that "current practice and policy" already ensured transparency and accountability, particularly in periodic meetings of the board.
But in their letter, the groups wrote: "We have reviewed the CPB Web site, bylaws, reports by the Office of the Inspector General and the Public Broadcasting Act closely, and found no policies" to that effect.
"If the CPB has written policies in place governing these matters, we strongly encourage you to make them publicly available on your Web site," the letter continued. "In addition, we question your assertion that meetings of the CPB board are truly open to the public. It has been our experience that only a small portion of the board meetings are open to the public."
Signatories included Writers Guild of America East, Free Press, Common Cause and Center for Creative Voices in Media.
Meanwhile, although CPB inspector general Kenneth Konz has said his report will be issued Nov. 1, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that Konz had concluded Tomlinson "may have violated internal rules" by hiring a consultant to monitor pubcasting for liberal bias. The news agency further claimed Konz may recommend that Tomlinson not be allowed to serve as a CPB board member after his chairmanship expires on Sept. 27.
But Konz disputed the report, saying he had not yet reached any final conclusions or recommendations.
Konz's investigation began as a response to a request from two House Democrats. Tomlinson has said he observed proper procedure and that his intention was to ensure balance in pubcasting.
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