APTS Has Concerns With Bell Nomination

APTS HAS CONCERNS WITH BELL NOMINATION
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) plans to hold a board meeting shortly after the Senate commerce Committee hearing for CPB board nominee Warren Bell Thursday to decide what official position to take on his nomination, but it isn't shaping up to be a ringing endorsement. The noncom community is increasingly concerned about the bloggings and other public statements of Bell about women, diversity, kids TV and more -- APTS President John Lawson calls them "flippantly hostile." Bell is a veteran sitcom writer and executive with shows including According to Jim, Coach, and Ellen. He is also an unabashedly conservative sometimes-contributor to the National Review. John Lawson, president of APTS, which represents public TV station interests in Washington, says he has also seen a letter that has been sent to Senator Ted Stevens and Daniel Inouye. co-chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee] essentially corroborating statements Bell has made about public broadcasting in which he says he thinks it should be de-funded.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6373581.html?display=Breaking...

* Who Is Warren Bell?
http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=2004587