Tomlinson to restore 'balance and objectivity'

CPB topper defends himself, corporation at luncheon

By WILLIAM TRIPLETT

WASHINGTON -- Kenneth Tomlinson, the embattled outgoing chairman of the Corp. for Public Broadcasting, publicly reiterated on Thursday his claim that he has only sought to restore "balance and objectivity" to pubcasting.

He also deemed a "food fight" accusations against him of impropriety, including charges that he has tried to politicize programming,

Speaking at a luncheon hosted by the Media Institute, Tomlinson portrayed himself as a man who's always tried to do the right thing. However, he is under investigation by the CPB inspector general because of disclosures earlier this year that he had, without the CPB board's knowledge, hired a consultant to monitor PBS' "Now With Bill Moyers" as well as two lobbyists to help oppose pending legislation. It is still not clear whether he violated any policies or procedures, but Democrats and liberals have called for his resignation.

The monitoring of "Now" has generated the most controversy.

"How have I become such a lightning rod?" Tomlinson asked rhetorically. "I asked for -- some would say I demanded -- political balance in public broadcasting, and there are people in this town would see me pay for this sin."

Moyers' "liberal" show, Tomlinson said, needed that balance, hence his efforts to create "Wall Street Week," a platform for conservative views. Others disputed any bias in "Now" and accused Tomlinson of trying to push pubcasting to the right.

He remains unapologetic. "If I threatened the cozy atmosphere of public broadcasting over the failure to balance the liberal advocacy journalism of Bill Moyers," Tomlinson said, "so be it."

The inspector general's investigation report is expected to be released in late October. Tomlinson said he could not comment on specifics of the investigation until then.