Thursday, January 05, 2006
Response from Local NBC Station on airing "Book of Daniel"
The following is from Lee Meredith, Vice President and General Manager of WAFF 48. Thank you for taking the time to write us about your concerns regarding the new NBC show, "The Book of Daniel."
We appreciate your position on this and we will also be providing a copy of your email to the NBC Television Network. After careful consideration of the pros and cons of airing "The Book of Daniel," I have decided that it will air on WAFF 48 this Friday as scheduled.
Obviously, this is a program that is not for everyone, but I am very uncomfortable acting in the role of censor. In this situation, I believe it is better to err on the side of letting viewers make their own choices about whether the show is offensive. If you believe this program will offend you, I encourage you to vote with your remote control and not watch it. If enough of your neighbors feel as you do about this show, it will be canceled due to poor ratings.
I understand that you may be disappointed with my decision on this. I do want you to know that I did carefully consider the opinions of those opposed to this program. While we did not agree on this specific matter, your comments will help guide our future programming decisions. Thanks again for taking the time to write.
Sincerely,
Lee Meredith
Vice President and General Manager
Leigh Michal
WAFF 48 Programming
1414 N. Memorial ParkwayHuntsville, AL 35801
phone 256-564-5649
fax 334-223-1826
Chip's Comment:
I believe that if this series was about say Muslims and making a mockery of the Muslim religion as programs do the Christian faith they would take a different approach. They have the power to not air this program but they choose not to. It's ok to offend the Christians in this country but let a show that would be totally Christian that calls sin, sin and tell everyone that Jesus is the Only Way be airing this Friday then my friend it would be censured.
We appreciate your position on this and we will also be providing a copy of your email to the NBC Television Network. After careful consideration of the pros and cons of airing "The Book of Daniel," I have decided that it will air on WAFF 48 this Friday as scheduled.
Obviously, this is a program that is not for everyone, but I am very uncomfortable acting in the role of censor. In this situation, I believe it is better to err on the side of letting viewers make their own choices about whether the show is offensive. If you believe this program will offend you, I encourage you to vote with your remote control and not watch it. If enough of your neighbors feel as you do about this show, it will be canceled due to poor ratings.
I understand that you may be disappointed with my decision on this. I do want you to know that I did carefully consider the opinions of those opposed to this program. While we did not agree on this specific matter, your comments will help guide our future programming decisions. Thanks again for taking the time to write.
Sincerely,
Lee Meredith
Vice President and General Manager
Leigh Michal
WAFF 48 Programming
1414 N. Memorial ParkwayHuntsville, AL 35801
phone 256-564-5649
fax 334-223-1826
Chip's Comment:
I believe that if this series was about say Muslims and making a mockery of the Muslim religion as programs do the Christian faith they would take a different approach. They have the power to not air this program but they choose not to. It's ok to offend the Christians in this country but let a show that would be totally Christian that calls sin, sin and tell everyone that Jesus is the Only Way be airing this Friday then my friend it would be censured.
