Writers Guild of America, East, voices support for "Independent Lens" petition

The Writers Guild of America, East, is urging its 4,000 members to sign Kartemquin Film's online open letter to PBS protesting the network's move of indie showcases Independent Lens and P.O.V. from their longtime Tuesday timeslots to Thursday nights (Current, March 12). In an email to its members, WGAE President Michael Winship, senior writer on Moyers & Company, said, "It is imperative that we all support high quality public affairs programming and give it the opportunity to reach the widest audience possible."

"PBS’s decision to move these two programs from their long-held primetime slots is a disservice to viewers and undercuts a critical part of public television’s mission by diminishing the independent voices essential to diversity and democracy," he wrote. "That is why we urge everyone to sign the petition.”