MediaWatch: February 1990
Table of Contents:
DHL Defends Sponsorship of PBS Show
America's Century Draws Criticism. The December Janet Cooke Award went to the Public Broadcasting Service for distributing America's Century, narrated by Harper's Editor Lewis Lapham. The series was originally produced and aired in Britain under the name American Power. Economist Milton Friedman was one of the few conservatives featured in the six-part series.
After reviewing a transcript of the program, Friedman told MediaWatch: "Lapham chose very selectively quotes of mine where he could either use them as things to attack or where, while entirely correct, they could be viewed as consistent with his own view....Many of my quotes are put in the context which gives a very erroneous impression....They are put in a context and used in a way so that anybody who heard the program would certainly not come away with a view I would want them to come away with."
In a letter to DHL Worldwide Express Chairman Patrick Foley, MediaWatch called the series "anti-American, largely factually inaccurate, and -- consequently -- devoid of any educational benefit." MediaWatch asked if DHL was still happy with their sponsorship and prepared to continue funding similar projects. Reacting to the letter, Director of Marketing Services Richard Rossi was unwavering in his support for the series: "I don't know what we will be doing in the future. We are happy with the show. I don't think Lapham is a traitor to his country. I can understand differences of opinion, but the vehemence of your reaction is puzzling."
