Off Mic: Justice Talking and The Infinite Mind sign off this summer

Mon, May 19, 2008
Posted in Off Mic

Two programs will sign off the air this summer, NPR’s Justice Talking and Lichtenstein Productions, The Infinite Mind. Reasons given by their producers are changes in funding and staff. Both shows have been favorites of KSKA listeners for years. It’s public radio’s loss, but it’s also an opportunity. Radio programming is fluid. When a program ends, another program takes its place. When Justice Talking wraps this summer, Fresh Air with Terry Gross will available for you Monday - Friday at 9:06a.m. repeating at 3:00p.m. We will have more info on Off Mic on what will air on KSKA when The Infinite Mind finishes this summer.

Comments

2 Responses to “Off Mic: Justice Talking and The Infinite Mind sign off this summer”

arndt von hippel on May 25, 2008 at 11:14 am

this is my first ever e-mail to kska.
but as a (former?) long-time loyal listener and supporter, i would like clarification from kska about alleged conflicts of interest on “the infinite mind” that were discussed in the following article taken from slate.com
thank you,
arndt von hippel

http://www.slate.com/id/2190775/
Bede Trantina on May 27, 2008 at 12:47 pm

Dear Mr. von Hippel,

Thank you for writing to us. KSKA first learned of the Slate article about The Infinite Mind this month. I took their headline, “Are Doctors Shilling for Drug Companies on Public Radio?” very seriously. I shared the Slate article and the response from Bill Lichtenstein, The Infinite Mind’s Executive Producer with APTI’s General Manager, APTI’s News Director and a programming colleague at KERA in Texas.

After weighing the issue and considering KSKA’s position as a trusted source of news and information, I decided to continue to air the program until it retires this summer. The conversation online is turning personal and I am going to stay out of taking sides. It is regrettable that Dr. Goodwin did not disclose the financial links.

The Infinite Mind has been a highly regarded program on public radio for 10 years and a favorite of KSKA listeners since it debuted around 1998. Dr. Thad Woodard interviewed Dr. Goodwin on KSKA’s “Line One: Your Health Connection,” giving Alaskans a chance to speak directly to Dr. Goodwin on mental health issues. Admittedly, my experience with Slate reporters, Jeanne Lenzer and Shannon Brownlee is not as extensive.

Thanks Mr. von Hippel. I appreciate your time and hearing your thoughts on KSKA programming.

Sincerely,

Bede Trantina