URTV a vital resource

I have followed with interest your coverage of the URTV “controversy.” You raise important questions of conduct, accountability and transparency. I must say, though, one could easily get the mistaken impression, from what I have read in the Xpress, that URTV is a highly flawed, dysfunctional operation that’s staining our community.

As a fairly new but very busy URTV producer, I have remained largely detached from these contentious issues. It’s not that they don’t strike me as worthy topics for community debate, but rather that they have not in any way intruded on my own (admittedly selfish and tightly focused) needs as a commentator in search of a stump. That is, on a personal and operational level, I have found the services there to be first rate and well-suited as a ready forum for my own productions, such as Our Human Race. In fact, I would say in this regard that the actual results of the station’s management’s style and methods might be a relevant part of an accurate portrayal of the state of what is certainly one of our most vital local outlets for free expression.

These comments are not intended as a “blank check” endorsement of URTV’s management. On that score, I say, “Have at it, the facts will out!” (As I recently contended in one of my shows, controversy is always the result of a less-than-full understanding of the facts.) …

What I am intending to convey is that URTV is a well-run and vital community resource that needs to be nurtured and supported, as well as brought to task, if and when it strays. I don’t pretend to be aware of your full editorial output, but I don’t recall seeing a story extolling management’s successes at cultivating, under difficult circumstances, a truly remarkable quantity of socially relevant statements that have enriched our shared community. (Not as sexy as management malfeasance, I concede, but still an important, related aspect of the issues at hand.) Or the difficulties of surviving while being under-funded by unreliable and sometimes reluctant sources.

Please consider also: There is no guarantee this organization will even be here next year, thus making all this wrangling moot. My sense is that our URTV is in a fight for its life, and in that context, I would like to offer my enthusiastic support for this unique, creative, efficient and most worthy local institution.

— Bruce Kennedy
Asheville

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Webmaster
Mountain Xpress Webmaster Follow me @MXWebTeam

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

3 thoughts on “URTV a vital resource

  1. Matt Howard

    Thank you Bruce.
    You have eloquently phrased what I have said all along. What everyone has been arguing about over URTV has in no way affected it doing what it is supposed to do. A member hands in their DVD, and it airs on URTV. Period. That’s how it was, is, and will be until the doors close. Programming is not dictated, screened, or censored.

  2. AvlResident

    Are there any verified viewer statistics for the station as a whole or for any particular programs?

Leave a Reply to AvlResident ×

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.