Topic: CNSNews.com
Looks like Tim Graham isn't the only Media Research Center employee who's prone to freaking out when the subject of transgenders comes up.
It appears CNSNess.com editor in chief Terry Jeffrey has found the next target in the MRC's revenge campaign: an independent filmmaker who received federal money that made a film for federally funded public television about a transgender teen, called "Real Boy."
In a June 7 article, Jeffrey rants that the film is a "pro-sex-change documentary," which in right-wing speak means that the filmmakers failed to shame the teen for choosing the gender identity that fits best. Jeffrey takes particular offense to the press kit for the film, which references guidance from GLAAD about moving transgenderism "closer to acceptance."
Jeffrey then shares the hostile, biased questions he fired at the film's producers, the Independent Television Service:
Then, in a June 12 article, Jeffrey tried to manufacture further outrage by complaining that "The website of the federally funded Public Broadcasting Service will host a blog posting about transgender dating, which will be advertised on air next Monday evening when PBS broadcasts the transgender documentary 'Real Boy.'" Yes, Jeffrey is complaining that a blog post will appear on a website.Again, Jeffrey showed off his hostile questioning:Citing this guidance, CNSNews.com asked ITVS by email: “Is it fair to say that one purpose of the ‘Real Boy’ documentary is to advance the cause of moving transgenderism ‘closer to acceptance’ in America?”
ITVS responded: “ITVS had no participation, funding or otherwise, in the press kit referencing ‘closer to acceptance.’”
CNSNews.com asked: “Does the film not seek to move transgenderism ‘closer to acceptance’ in America?”
ITVS responded again: “ITVS had no participation, funding or otherwise, in the press kit referencing ‘closer to acceptance.’
CNSNews.com asked: “Why should American taxpayers be required to pay for the production and broadcasting of ‘Real Boy’?”
ITVS responded: “Americans broadly support public broadcasting's mission to help inform civil discourse essential to American society.”
CNSNews.com asked: “Why should Congress maintain a law that requires taxpayers to fund a private documentary producer like ITVS?”
ITVS responded: “ITVS supports independent producers from all corners of our country who tell stories about Americans representing a range of complex topics. The organization serves as a public pathway for producers and characters untethered to a single public television station, television series, geographic area or set of interests.”
[...]
CNSNews.com also asked PBS: “Why should American taxpayers be forced to pay for the broadcasting of Real Boy?”
The PBS spokesperson responded: “This film represents just one title among the many hours of high-quality programming offered by PBS stations each year spanning genres including news and public affairs, science, history, drama, arts and children’s content. I would refer you to recent statements we’ve made about the importance of federal funding, as well as research that shows strong support across the political spectrum for federal funding for public media.”
CNSNews.com asked ITVS if the blog post about transgender dating would be written by one of ITVS’s regular bloggers and when it would be posted. CNSNews.com also asked ITVS if it would be posted on the regular Independent Lens blog page at pbs.org/independentlens/blog, if the blog post’s Q&A format would feature observations by transgender individuals about their dating experiences and/or advice on dating as a transgender—or, if that were not the blog post’s subject matter, what the subject matter would be.
ITVS did not respond.
CNSNews.com asked PBS about the planned blog post: “Is it acceptable to PBS that ‘Independent Lens’ promote on a PBS broadcast and post on the PBS website a blog about ‘dating when you are trans’?” CNSNews.com also asked PBS: “If so, is there any human behavior that PBS would find unacceptable as the focus of a blog posting based on a Q&A with people who engage in that behavior and that PBS would, therefore, not allow to be posted on its website?”
PBS did not respond.
The MRC would not put up with such biased questions if asked by the "liberal media." Why is it tolerating them from one of its own employees?
