MAKE SURE PBS SHOWS KNOCKING IN YOUR CITY
KNOCKING will be shown on the PBS series "Independent Lens." But 25% of PBS
stations do not carry this series. Ask your local PBS station if it will
show KNOCKING on "Independent Lens." Click here to find the contact
information for your local PBS station:
http://www.pbs.org/stationfinder/index.html
WHY WILL SOME PBS STATIONS NOT SHOW KNOCKING?
"PBS" is a loose affiliation of more than 300 member stations. Each PBS
affiliate is independent. That means the programming director at your local
PBS station has the power to change or ignore the national broadcast
schedule arranged by the PBS headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. If your
local programming director deems, for whatever reason, that a particular
show or series won't be of interest to his local community, he can cancel it
or move it to another time slot. There could be any number of reasons why
your local station won't show KNOCKING. Your station may simply not carry
the series "Independent Lens" on which KNOCKING will be featured. Or your
local programming director might erroneously assume there are not many
Jehovah's Witnesses in your city, and therefore feel there is no reason to
show KNOCKING. Or he might get a skewed impression that the community does
not want to see KNOCKING, based on only receiving negative calls and letters
about Jehovah's Witnesses.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Tell the programming director at your local PBS station that you are one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Let him know that your city has a vibrant Jehovah's Witness community. And tell him that you would like to see your story told on public television.
WHAT IF YOU ARE NOT ONE OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES?
If you have a friend, family member, co-worker, classmate or neighbor who is one of Jehovah's Witnesses, let your local PBS station know about it. The more non-Witness viewers who express interest in seeing KNOCKING, the more likely your PBS station will show it.
WHAT SHOULD YOU SAY?
Above all, be polite and positive. This will be refreshing since most calls
and letters to PBS stations are from angry people demanding something.
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Inform you are one of Jehovah's Witnesses in your city, or you know
someone who is.
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Explain you are interested in seeing the documentary on Jehovah's
Witnesses called KNOCKING, which is scheduled to be shown on the PBS series
"Independent Lens" May 22, 2007.
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If your local PBS station does not carry the series "Independent Lens,"
request that it does. You don't want to miss out on this informative,
entertaining and Emmy-Award winning series.
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If your local PBS station does carry the series "Independent Lens,"
request that it show the episode that features KNOCKING at a time that is
convenient to watch. Nationally, KNOCKING is supposed to be shown at 10pm on
Tuesday May 22, 2007. But some stations will move it to very late night
hours or weekend afternoons.
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Don't forget to thank your PBS station for considering your request. Let
the station know you appreciate having the opportunity to see your story
told on public television.
WHERE DO YOU WRITE/E-MAIL OR CALL?
Find your local PBS station by clicking on the following link:
http://www.pbs.org/stationfinder/index.html
Remember to always write from your heart and in your own words. And always be BRIEF. It is not effective to send a long letter or a form letter used by your friends. Programming directors will find this annoying.
A NOTE ON NEUTRALITY
The producers of KNOCKING know that Jehovah's Witnesses are neutral when it comes to most non-theocratic matters. Indeed, KNOCKING goes to great lengths to document this neutral stand. So we understand if some Jehovah's Witnesses would choose not to contact their local PBS station. But keep in mind that asking your local PBS station to show KNOCKING is not a form of activism or advocacy. It is a request, much like contacting a business seeking a particular service or brand. When your public TV station does not offer the program you want to see, it would be reasonable for you to contact their "customer service department" to ensure your program is locally shown as promised by the national PBS schedule.
THANK YOU
If you are able to help get KNOCKING shown on your local PBS station, imagine how many more in your community will appreciate seeing it. Thank you.
