----- Original Message ----- From: "Sandra P. Guthman" To: < somebody else > Sent: Monday, November 24, 2003 9:53 AM Subject: RE: Four demands to WTTW Thank you for your feedback. Following is our response to Mr.Szczepanczyk's letter, which I believe addresses many of your concerns: October 22, 2003 Mr. Mitchell Szczepanczyk President Chicago Media Action PO Box 14140 Chicago, IL 60614 Dear Mr. Szczepanczyk: Thank you for sharing your concerns related to WTTW11 in your October 11 letter. As you know, WTTW11 has always appreciated community feedback, and senior management has given considerable thought to the issues presented by Chicago Media Action. We wanted to respond promptly to some of your key points: * WTTW11's lobby renovation did not cost 2.1 million dollars, as incorrectly indicated by the July 27 Chicago Tribune Magazine. The reporter combined the cost of the Digital Broadcast Operations Center and the lobby. The construction project, which included the expanded lobby and adjacent digital control center, was mandatory for two reasons: WTTW11 was forced to comply with the non-funded government mandate to convert to digital broadcasting by the year 2003. Because we are in a competitive media marketplace and our viewers expect to see the same technical quality seen on other local stations, we kept on the same conversion timeline as the other stations. WTTW11 also secured a 2 million dollar capital grant exclusively designated for bricks, mortar and technology for the digital control center. WTTW11 was also mandated to install an elevator in our front lobby to meet requirements for handicapped-accessibility. The lobby space with the elevator measures only 550 square feet, and was designed to accommodate that elevator and other handicapped-accessibility features. * The regulations and practices of the Federal Communications Commission clearly designate the broadcast licensee as the responsible party to present fair and balanced programming. In public television, the licensee is the Board of Trustees. They are responsible - and held accountable -- for the programming created and acquired by WTTW11. Every program accepted by Channel 11 must meet requirements for accuracy and lack of bias, and adhere to editorial, artistic, and technical guidelines that are designed to protect the integrity of the program service and the public's trust in our independence. Program content cannot be controlled by a specific activist group or interest. In closing, the Board of Trustees is completely behind President & CEO Dan Schmidt and the senior management team, who have taken bold and proactive steps to meet the challenges that face all public television stations - and other non-profit organizations -- during these challenging financial times. It has been - and always will be -- our goal to ensure that we provide a program service that serves all viewers. Once again, we appreciate your feedback. Sincerely, Sandra P. Guthman Chairman WTTW Board of Trustees