KCET Calls Challenge to License ‘Preposterous’

A conservative media watchdog group’s challenge to Los Angeles public television station KCET’s broadcasting license is “preposterous,” station executives said Tuesday.

The Committee on Media Integrity, chaired by conservative author David Horowitz, filed the challenge Monday. The organization asked that the FCC not renew KCET’s license until the station appoints an ombudsman, restructures its board of directors and holds more open board meetings.

KCET spokeswoman Barbara Goen said station officials believe that Horowitz and attorney Richard Perkins, secretary of the watchdog organization, are retaliating against KCET for its refusal to acquiesce to their requests for more conservative programming. Horowitz said that the call for an ombudsman and an elected board was in the interest of all viewers, not just conservatives.

Meanwhile, KCET said Tuesday that it has decided to renew the beleaguered news magazine “South Africa Now” through April. Beginning this week, the station will label it “point of view.” It will be the only program on Channel 28 to carry such a label.