WGBH Annual Report 2000-2001 Text Version: Stay curious about imortant issues

Text Version

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Stay curious about important issues

At a time when the line between news and entertainment is increasingly blurred, WGBH's commitment to fostering an informed citizenry has never been more important. WGBH's news and public affairs programs provide an in-depth look at the complex political and social issues affecting our community, nation, and world.

How do you go beyond the headlines?

How do you practice TV journalism in an era of sound bites?
"As television's only long-form public affairs series, Frontline offers a venue for serious journalists interested in really exploring the critical issues of our times. We give top-notch reporters and producers the time to thoroughly investigate a topic, and the time on air and online to tell their story in a compelling way. Our Drug Wars program is a good example. We spent more than a year researching what became a four-hour, definitive record of America's 30-year war on drugs."
-David Fanning, Senior Executive Producer, Frontline

How do you get past a US-centric view of the world?
"A presidential election in France or Mexico may seem remote until we learn that the issues raised there resonate with usÉeven affect our lives. The World searches out engaging stories that address universal concerns. A worldwide network of journalists tailor those stories to our American listeners and their interests. More than 1.5 million Americans nationwide tune in every week to satisfy their curiosity about life beyond our borders."
-Lisa Mullins, Anchor, The World, a WGBH co-production with the BBC World Service and Public Radio International

How do you prompt community conversations?
Death and end-of-life care are often difficult subjects for people to discuss. In partnership with the Massachusetts Compassionate Care Coalition, we used Bill Moyers' extraordinary series On Our Own Terms: Moyers on Dying as a starting point for more intimate conversations. Together, we developed free resources and trained 75 volunteer facilitators who have conducted more than 50 group sessions around the state, helping people share their feelings and obtain the information they need to make informed decisions around this important issue."
-Angela Lifsey, WGBH Director of External Relations, with Rigney Cunningham of the Hospice Federation of Massachusetts and Carol Wogrin of the National Center for Death Education

How do you turn a local lens on daily events?
"We have people who are experts in every field right here in our own backyard, so looking at an important story from a local perspective is easy and fun. Greater Boston's election coverage-on television and on the Web-was very much in keeping with our objectives year 'round. Greater Boston covered everything from local ballot questions to how the electoral college works. We offer a nightly venue where people can hear longer discussions, where they can get information that's firsthand and reliable."
-Emily Rooney, Host and Executive Editor, Greater Boston, with Managing Editor John Carroll and "Beat the Press" panelists

Whose voices are heard on WGBH?
"Stories Out of School, the teen radio diaries component of WGBH's Eye on Education initiative, looked at educational reform in Massachusetts from the perspective of those it affects the most: the students. It's our diploma that's on the line, our education that's being changed, our classes. We need to be heard. WGBH is giving a voice to people who are usually 'voiceless.'"
-Nicole Tabolt, Boston Latin High School

"The issue I covered was racial imbalance and why METCO kids sit together at lunch. Interviewing students-black and white-gave me an opportunity to find out what other people were thinking and to share it with listeners. Hearing different points of view has made me want to make changes in my school."
-Shayla Jordan, Concord-Carlisle High School

"The question we asked was, 'How are high-stakes testing and other educational reforms shaping Boston public schools and the lives of students, teachers, administrators, and parents?' To find the answer, WGBH, in partnership with The Boston Globe and WILD 1090am, launched Eye on Education in September 2000. This 10-week initiative included weekly reports on Greater Boston, in-depth documentaries on La Plaza, Basic Black, and Greater Boston Arts, ongoing features in The Boston Globe, a 90-minute televised forum, a comprehensive Web site, call-in specials and promotion on WILD, and a resource flyer that we distributed to 100,000 families."
-Llew Smith, Senior Producer, Eye on Education

Home | Message from the President and Chair | Awards | Fiscal Year 00
Kids and Families | Arts and Culture | Our World | Important Issues | Learning