One of the roles of this office is to hear from the audience.
You won’t be surprised to hear that people have things to say.
It’s usually critical.
It’s often disrespectful.
It’s a level of name-calling, ad hominem attacks and uninformed ranting that belie the caricature often painted of the PBS audience.
Sometimes, it’s thoughtful and constructive criticism.
I’ve addressed the issue of civility in a previous column.
I’m sure I’m not the only person who probably heard their mother say, “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say it.” In fact, I’ve said it to my own children.
In the technological world we live in today, it’s easy to dash off your complaint in a moment of anger or in a fit of pique. It takes a deliberate effort to say thank you, or write something appreciative.
So today, I’m going to focus on some of the things the audience has communicated that are positive, polite and affirming. Sometimes it’s a zero sum game, saying something nice about one person comes at the expense of criticizing someone else. But mostly, it’s nice to hear some appreciation and recognition.
There’s a positive response to the addition of Ann Curry to public television with her new series We’ll Meet Again.
And the Christiane Amanpour fans are making themselves heard.
Susan Norwood from Eugene, Ore., wrote: “I am extremely happy that you named Christiane Amanpour as the replacement of Charlie Rose. Not only is she well-qualified for this position, but I think that all the guys who got pushed out for sexual harassment should be replaced by women.”
Charles Tate from Wilmington, Del.: "Irrespective of the recent disclosure about Mr. Rose (malignant as they are) Christiane Amanpour is vastly superior.”
Mary Peterson from Spokane, Wash., is delighted: “Amanpour – EXCELLENT!! 'The Crack in 2017 where The Light Gets In!!' Thank you."
Barbara Bradshaw, San Diego, Calif.: “Thank you for Amanpour’s show please keep this show.”
Riley McClelland, West Glacier, Mont.: “Thanks to PBS for carrying Amanpour. Her interviews are meaningful and incisive. She is 100% improvement over Charlie Rose.”
There’s a new White House Correspondent at the PBS NewsHour, Yamiche Alcindor, and some of you, including Steve Brooks from Oak Ridge, N.C., are delighted. He says, “Hurray for YAMICHE!!!!!!”
And some support for Judy Woodruff from Seabury and Sharon Lynn: “Judy remains a true hero in the reportage arena.”
JK Wilson was moved to drop this note: “Just want to acknowledge the great reporting of PBS Newshour, and Amanpour. When I want o hear news I can trust I turn to PBS. Congratulations on wonderful programming, including both news and entertainment. Thank you.”
I am not saying that the only communications that should come into this office are laudatory herograms. I’m just pointing out that sometimes, between the vitriol and bile, there is common courtesy.
The last word goes to Harrison in Portland, Ore.: “Dear PBS, I like your shows and your web site. Hope you’re doing well.”
