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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jeff Hankin
April 4, 2002
Vice President, Marketing and Brand Management
Phone: (410) 581-4083
E-mail: jhankin@mpt.org
Statement of Robert J. Shuman, President and CEO,
Maryland Public Television, in response to
Louis Rukeyser appearance on Larry King Live
of Thursday, April 4, 2002
OWINGS MILLS, MD: "It is unfortunate that Mr. Rukeyser continues
to mischaracterize the circumstances surrounding his departure from Wall
$treet Week. This did not happen overnight.
"Our decision to refresh and reinvigorate the program was based
on comments we've received from viewers, station managers, and members
- comments that were shared with Mr. Rukeyser. No program can remain stagnant
for three decades and still hope to remain relevant to current viewers
and to attract new ones.
"We hoped - and expected - that Mr. Rukeyser would be part of our
new program in a significant and visible role. Unfortunately, Mr. Rukeyser
made it clear that he was not agreeable to material changes in the program,
and his attorney indicated he wished to finish out his contract in a professional
manner. His on-air actions of March 22 made it clear that it was not possible
for us to go forward together.
"Our goal in public television is to appeal to the widest audience
possible while providing the quality and in-depth information they need
in today's changing world.
"The investor of 2002 is very different from the investor of 1970.
Investors today include middle-income couples, stay-at-home moms, even
college students. We want to take Wall $treet Week in a direction that
will appeal to those investors as well as to longtime viewers."
"We look forward to our journalistic partnership with FORTUNE magazine
that will enhance the breadth and depth of financial information and analysis.
At the same time, we'll continue to be cognizant of the unique and important
role that public television plays in all our lives."
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