WGAE Executive Director Lowell Peterson and President Michael Winship released the following statement:

“With the news that the series POV and Independent Lens will move in late October to a prime spot on the PBS schedule—Monday nights at 10—we are pleased that PBS has decided to restore independent documentaries to an airtime in its national core schedule. As the Writers Guild of America, East said when it joined in protesting the schedule change in April, the move announced today will allow the greatest exposure and best opportunity for viewers to see these important works so relevant to the PBS mandate for diversity and public service. We are especially grateful for the open minds and willingness to negotiate at PBS that allowed this decision to take place and congratulate the independent film community for the solidarity and sense of purpose that resulted in such a successful outcome.”

The Writers Guild of America, East applauds the co-sponsors of the expanded Digital Content NewFronts (DCNF), which will be presented in New York from April 19 to May 3.

Modeled on the traditional television industry “up fronts,” the DCNFs offer digital-content creators and distributors the opportunity to market their work and their services to online advertisers. (DCNF co-sponsors include Hulu, AOL, Microsoft Advertising, Digitas, Yahoo! and Google/YouTube.)
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Statement by Lowell Peterson, Executive Director, and Michael Winship, President of the Writers Guild of America, East:

The National Endowment for the Arts is reported to be reducing its grants to programs on public television by $1 million. These cuts would affect American Masters, Great Performances, independent documentaries and other shows.  The Writers Guild of America, East, urges the NEA to reconsider these reported cuts.

“Public television programs such as American Masters offer thoughtful, well-researched insights into American culture and the arts,” said WGAE Executive Director Lowell Peterson and WGAE President Michael Winship. “At a time of decreased funding from corporations and charitable trusts, and with federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting always at risk, we hope that the NEA will maintain its historical commitment to these vital shows.” 

WGAE members write and create many of the best-loved shows on public television, including American Masters, Frontline, American Experience, Nova and Sesame Street.