Tomlinson Violated Statute, Ethics, Says Report

[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting Inspector General, Kenneth Konz, has concluded that CPB Chairman Ken Tomlinson "violated statutory provisions" and the board's code of ethics by dealing directly with programmers during negotiations over the creation of a public affairs program, The Journal Editorial Report, and by using "political tests" to recruit President and CEO Patricia Harrison. Konz said the investigation "identified e-mails between the former chairman and staff in the Executive Office of the President that, while cryptic in nature, their timing and subject matter gives the appearance that the former Chairman was strongly motivated by political considerations in filling the President/CEO position." The Public Broadcasting Act prevents CPB from influencing programming decisions and attempts to insulate it from politics. According to the Act,. "no political test or qualification shall be used in selecting, appointing, promoting, or taking other personnel actions with respect to officers, agents, and employees of the Corporation." But the Act does permit hiring outside consultants and requires CPB to try and achieve balance in noncom programming of a controversial nature. As such, the IG report concluded that hiring an outside consultant to gauge objectivity and balance in noncommercial programming was not out of bounds, but that Tomlinson should have informed the board and should not have signed the contract for the review without board approval.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6283818?display=Breaking+News&referral=SUPP
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