🚀 go-pugleaf

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 24 May 1994 21:45:46 -0700
From: David Sangurima <sangu@igc.apc.org>
Subject: NPR Censors Political Prisoner

/* Written  5:26 am  May 20, 1994 by peacenet@igc.apc.org in igc:pn.alerts */
/* ---------- "NPR Censors Political Prisoner" ---------- */
Date: Thu, 19 May 1994 06:37:21 -0700
From: Kate Raphael <kraphael@igc.apc.org>

National Public Radio has backed out of a promise to air twelve segments
by former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal on All Things Considered.  Mumia,
who was framed for a cop-killing, has been on Pennsylvania's death row for
twelve years.  Prior to his arrest, he was an acclaimed radio journalist.
NPR agreed to buy the commentaries for $150 each and they had already been
taped, but last week an editorial appeared in the New York Times
criticizing them for giving air time to a "convicted cop killer."  NPR's
managing editor decided to cave in to the pressure, saying that the
commentaries were not being presented in a "context" or with "contrasting
viewpoints."  Apparently, Philadelphia cops objected to Mumia's being
given the opportunity to present his case for a new trial on ATC.

People are asked to call NPR at (202) 414-3232 (Washington, D.C. time) and
urge them to play the commentaries.  Tell them if we wanted regular
mainstream journalism, we'd listen to CBS!