SDPB will not air controversial PBS kid's show episode

| Saturday, February 12, 2005

Previous Page

Share

• del.icio.us
• Digg
• NewsVine
• Fark

Print

Email

SIOUX FALLS (AP) — A children's television show that includes a rabbit's trip to Vermont and a meeting with two lesbian couples won't be on South Dakota Public Broadcasting.

Although SDPB won't air the controversial episode, it issued a written statement that said, "SDPB does not shy away from addressing sensitive issues."

After new U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings complained that public dollars were being used to promote alternative lifestyles, PBS decided not to distribute the episode of "Postcards From Buster."

So WGBH, the Boston public TV station that produced the show, said it is sending the episode to stations that ask for it. So far, 45 of about 300 PBS stations nationwide that could air the show had asked for the episode as of Wednesday afternoon.

"Postcards from Buster" is funded by a grant from the Department of Education's Ready to Learn program.

On the show, Buster travels around the country and records his adventures in places such as the Crazy Horse Monument in South Dakota.

In the "Sugartime" episode, Buster goes to Vermont to learn about maple sugaring and meets local families, including two lesbian couples.

South Dakota will not air the episode because of parents' complaints, said Bob Bosse, SDPB director of television. The show targets 3- to 7-year-olds who are likely to be inquisitive, he said.

"Children are old enough to ask questions that may be raised by the episode," Bosse said. "But they (parents) prefer to disclose the issue with their children at the time of their choosing."

Bosse said about six people called the station, and two said they believed the program promoted and taught diversity to children.

Iowa will show the program statewide on Thursday at its regular time.

"We viewed the program and decided it was something that fit," spokeswoman Jennifer Konfrst said. "We like to let our viewers decide."

Nebraska public television will not air the episode, according to spokesman Steve Graziano.

"Postcards from Buster" is well-produced, he said, adding that of its 40 shows, this is the only one that will not air.

Graziano said he agrees with PBS's decision to leave it to individual stations.

"That's one of the strengths is that decisions are made locally," he said. "I'm a firm believer in having options."