National Empowerment Television
Encyclopedia
National Empowerment Television (NET), also known as America's Voice, was a cable TV network designed to rapidly mobilize conservative followers for grassroots
lobbying
. It was created by Paul Weyrich
, a key strategist for the paleoconservative movement. At its peak, it claimed to reach more than 11 million homes.
(FCF), they launched a Washington, D.C.
-based satellite television station called National Empowerment Television (NET). Its logo featured a square of nine dots, referring to a puzzle that cannot be solved without drawing lines "outside the box." NET went on air for the first time on December 6, 1993.
Many in academia and the mainstream media roundly criticized NET. For instance, the Columbia Journalism Review
observed in 1994 that it spurned "broadcast journalism's caveat against partisan news programming.... One-third of the programs on NET are produced by 'associate broadcasters' -- organizations handpicked by Weyrich to share NET's airtime. Among the dozen associate broadcasters on NET are Accuracy in Media
, the National Rifle Association
, and the American Life League
, an anti-abortion
group. Though these programs can look like 'Discovery Channel
' documentaries, they are in fact unrestrained, unfiltered, political infomercials."
Indeed, in an attempt to circumvent mainstream media opposition, NET went to associate broadcasters, local broadcasting channels for television syndication
, and other non-traditional means of marketing. Thus, NET was able to become a broader resource for the U.S. social and economic conservative movements. Many organizations which had been traditionally shunned by major broadcasters and advertisers bought the rights to air programs on the channel, including the Christian Coalition, the Cato Institute
, Accuracy in Media
, and others.
Nevertheless, the network had interests on a broad base of issues. For instance, under the management of Weyrich the channel was involved discussing – on programs entitled American on Track and The New Electric Railway Journal (affiliated with a print magazine
of the same name) – public and mass transit issues, including local rail and interstate mass transit and the deleterious effects of automotive-oriented planning on environmental, economic, and urban quality of life. There were also programs and segments on family, community, and social issues that featured writers, local community activists and representatives, and academic leaders. Other programs focused on issues important to FCF activity: Endangered Liberties discussed privacy issues; Legal Notebook emphasized judicial nominations and court trends, and Next Revolution covered activities within social conservatism. The most popular program was Direct Line with Weyrich, in which the host interviewed lawmakers and other prominent figures live, permitted the public to call in directly with questions and comments, with Weyrich delivering commentary in the final segment. Additionally, the channel had programming on culinary and etiquette issues, even occasional segments devoted to wines and music.
In all of its programming, the management team under Weyrich sought a highly professionalized approach to both its advocacy and journalistic programming. Consequently, the channel featured high production values and cost a great deal. The FCF claimed that various ideologically liberal organizations and individuals and industry competitors pressured many advertising firms to withdraw or withhold support. The result was that revenue could not meet operating costs, and in response to donor and investor pressure for a clearer focus, FCF dropped all programs not directly related to public policy and conservative activism, and rebranded the channel as NET: The Conservative NewsTalk Network, with the initials NET no longer standing for anything, and the nine-dot logo replaced with one evoking the U.S. Capitol
dome. It also began news reports and updates (akin to the likes of CNN
, albeit keeping its ideological principles at the forefront), and a full-fledged investigative journalism program. However, the high cost of this strategy, perceived obstacles for entering the marketplace, and other factors combined to bring NET down by 1997.
As part of its audience mobilization strategy, NET invited viewers to participate in eight hours of live call-in television each day. Programs included:
. In a 1993 internal strategy paper, Morris canvassed options for increasing NET's adverse coverage of Bill Clinton
's proposal to finance an expanded public health care
system with increased taxes on tobacco
. "Generate additional publicity by having NET dedicate a news crew and programming to the health care issue as well as other challenges to the industry. Regarding health care, the crew could cover the town hall meeting sponsored by Citizens for a Sound Economy
(CSE) and broadcast the highlights nationally", the memo suggested.
"With respect to other issues, NET could produce their own version of a 60 Minutes
show demonstrating the industry's side of controversial issues such as FDA/nicotine and the EPA
's risk assessment on ETS. Finally, NET could sponsor public opinion surveys in key congression districts on the health care issue and broadcast the results," the memo stated.
While Morris was hoping to ask NET to assist advancing its corporate agenda, it was willing to return the favor to NET. "Philip Morris could increase the impact of NET's coverage by assisting the network in getting additional cable companies to carry their broadcasts", the memo stated.
Funding was an option too. "Since NET is a TV network, we could fund these activities via product advertisements from the food and beer business", the memo suggested.
However, Morris also advertised extensively on other broadcasting organizations, including an ideologically liberal radio network, Air America. Furthermore, Morris' funding to NET was extremely small. A March 1994 internal strategy document by Morris revealed that it spent only $200,000 to help fund NET. One proposed miniseries would 'focus on debunking the myths of the Clinton plan and the use of excises to fund such a plan, and to investigate more market-driven alternatives". Morris planned another miniseries critiquing the proposed Clinton health care plan, as a part of a broad-based effort by health care providers and businesses of all types to stop the nationalization of American health care.
Nevertheless, Weyrich and others remained steadfast in their programming orientation and optimism. In a proposal sent to potential sponsors, NET boasted that in its first nine months had "confirmed the validity of its motivating premise: that public affairs broadcasting based upon solid American principles and values has appeal beyond the hearty but thin ranks of policy wonks by making discussion of public affairs exciting and compelling, by igniting viewers' passions, by bringing elected officials onto love programs to be grilled by caller around the country, and by hosting programs not with TV personalities but with veteran Washington hands familiar with how the nation's capital works". Additionally, the network began inviting opposing viewpoints on a number of programs, in order to increase viewer interest. According to the proposal, one of the changes NET had made to its programs had been by "increasing conflict: Champions and opponents of measures increasingly face each other on the shows".
Another supporter was the then-Speaker of the House of Representatives
, Newt Gingrich
, who hosted his own weekly program, "Progress Report with Newt Gingrich". The program was paid for by Gingrich's Progress and Freedom Foundation and was reported to cost $140,000. Gingrich also helped out by hosting a February 1995 $50,000 plate fundraising dinner to top up NET's coffers.
In the ensuing controversy over Gingrich's role as a fundraiser for a conservative media organization, Weyrich defended his sponsor. "The fact is that but for the efforts of people like the speaker, NET would not continue", Weyrich wrote in a column in The Washington Times.
According to NET's proposal, its first year budget was $5.6 million with $1 million to be raised from eight 'associate producers' with advertising scheduled to bring in only $365,000 and on-air fundraising another $262,000. NET hoped any shortfall would be eliminated by grants and pledges from unspecified sources.
In 1995, Weyrich wrote to its associate broadcasters to inform them that from April 1, National Empowerment Television "will now be referred to as NET-Political NewsTalk Network".
"It seems that the name National Empowerment Television often led to some misconceptions about what we do. As we actively pursue new affiliates, we now hope to be more readily identifiable as a public policy organization", he explained.
FCF planned a new strategy to make NET a self-sustaining, even profitable, commercial enterprise, rather than a money-losing tool of outreach. However, the FCF blamed the hostility of other large media and agitation by liberal groups for refusal of support from the big advertising firms. Without enough revenue to cover its cost, the corporate board forced Weyrich to stop new segment programming and focus on retooling the network for a relaunch.
In a decision he later came to regret bitterly, Weyrich, under pressure from the associate broadcasters, turned over day-to-day operation of the channel to Robert Sutton
, an industry veteran who had been successful with other startups. It relaunched in the spring of 1997 as a for-profit TV channel called "America's Voice", with another $20 million in seed money. However, Sutton came from the ranks of mainstream media and refused to agree with the ideological analysis that the television industry was failing to meet the demands of conservative and traditionalist viewers. A power struggle ensued, with Sutton persuading the network's board to force out Weyrich in a hostile takeover.
With Weyrich gone, under Sutton, the channel abandoned its conservative identity, marketing itself merely as a non-ideological forum for the public to make its views known to policymakers, akin to the call-in programs on C-SPAN
. However, the network retained four conservative programs funded by the FCF and a few remaining supporters, but it had to pay to retain them. Finally, further pressure from advertisers and larger broadcasters allegedly forced even those to be removed.
With much of its original viewership alienated, and also with the rise of Fox News Channel
as a popular source of conservative opinion on cable television, financial support under Sutton collapsed, and Dish Network
dropped it. Eventually America's Voice was sold, becoming "The Renaissance Network" (TRN), airing on a few broadcast stations, mainly UHF and low-power channels. Facing ruin, TRN brought back FCF content, but it was not enough to save the operation.
Today, the FCF offers interviews, soundbites, and commentary readings on its website FCF News on Demand.
In 2000, America's Voice was purchased by E-Cine, a Dallas-based multimedia company, which briefly returned Weyrich to the airwaves before succumbing to bankruptcy later that year.
Even had NET/America's Voice survived, Fox News Channel would have had several decisive advantages over it. Fox, in keeping with its parent News Corporation
's neoconservative orientation, sought a broader audience base by closely supporting the Republican Party
(instead of criticizing it from the right) and placing greater emphasis on entertainment value in its programming, the latter of which NET explicitly eschewed. NET viewers, by contrast, were a coalition of adherents to paleoconservative views on foreign policy (e.g., isolationism
), radical laissez-faire
economic positions, and traditionalist religion with astringent moral codes, viewpoints that do not lend themselves easily to a large audience, even among conservatives. More importantly, though, would have been the exceedingly larger capital News Corporation could invest in Fox, as opposed to NET's reliance on donors and outside organizations.
group began to use the name "America's Voice". The group is unrelated to the previous NET.
Retrieved from "http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=National_Empowerment_Television"
Grassroots
A grassroots movement is one driven by the politics of a community. The term implies that the creation of the movement and the group supporting it are natural and spontaneous, highlighting the differences between this and a movement that is orchestrated by traditional power structures...
lobbying
Lobbying
Lobbying is the act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies. Lobbying is done by various people or groups, from private-sector individuals or corporations, fellow legislators or government officials, or...
. It was created by Paul Weyrich
Paul Weyrich
Paul M. Weyrich was an American conservativepolitical activist and commentator, most notable as a figurehead of the New Right. He co-founded the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank and the Free Congress Foundation, another conservative think tank...
, a key strategist for the paleoconservative movement. At its peak, it claimed to reach more than 11 million homes.
History
Like many conservatives, Weyrich believed that the mainstream news and entertainment media exhibit a liberal bias. In an attempt to help counter this, he mobilized groups and donors who were equally concerned by the supposed lack of journalistic integrity. Coordinated by the Free Congress FoundationFree Congress Foundation
The Free Congress Foundation , is a conservative think tank founded by Paul Weyrich. It was based near Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C...
(FCF), they launched a Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
-based satellite television station called National Empowerment Television (NET). Its logo featured a square of nine dots, referring to a puzzle that cannot be solved without drawing lines "outside the box." NET went on air for the first time on December 6, 1993.
Many in academia and the mainstream media roundly criticized NET. For instance, the Columbia Journalism Review
Columbia Journalism Review
The Columbia Journalism Review is an American magazine for professional journalists published bimonthly by the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism since 1961....
observed in 1994 that it spurned "broadcast journalism's caveat against partisan news programming.... One-third of the programs on NET are produced by 'associate broadcasters' -- organizations handpicked by Weyrich to share NET's airtime. Among the dozen associate broadcasters on NET are Accuracy in Media
Accuracy in Media
Accuracy In Media is an American, non-profit news media watchdog founded in 1969 by economist Reed Irvine. AIM describes itself as "a non-profit, grassroots citizens watchdog of the news media that critiques botched and bungled news stories and sets the record straight on important issues that...
, the National Rifle Association
National Rifle Association
The National Rifle Association of America is an American non-profit 501 civil rights organization which advocates for the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights and the promotion of firearm ownership rights as well as marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection...
, and the American Life League
American Life League
The American Life League is one of the largest pro-life organizations in the United States. The organization opposes abortion under any circumstance, contraception, embryonic stem cell research, and euthanasia...
, an anti-abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
group. Though these programs can look like 'Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is an American satellite and cable specialty channel , founded by John Hendricks and distributed by Discovery Communications. It is a publicly traded company run by CEO David Zaslav...
' documentaries, they are in fact unrestrained, unfiltered, political infomercials."
Indeed, in an attempt to circumvent mainstream media opposition, NET went to associate broadcasters, local broadcasting channels for television syndication
Television syndication
In broadcasting, syndication is the sale of the right to broadcast radio shows and television shows by multiple radio stations and television stations, without going through a broadcast network, though the process of syndication may conjure up structures like those of a network itself, by its very...
, and other non-traditional means of marketing. Thus, NET was able to become a broader resource for the U.S. social and economic conservative movements. Many organizations which had been traditionally shunned by major broadcasters and advertisers bought the rights to air programs on the channel, including the Christian Coalition, the Cato Institute
Cato Institute
The Cato Institute is a libertarian think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C. It was founded in 1977 by Edward H. Crane, who remains president and CEO, and Charles Koch, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the conglomerate Koch Industries, Inc., the largest privately held...
, Accuracy in Media
Accuracy in Media
Accuracy In Media is an American, non-profit news media watchdog founded in 1969 by economist Reed Irvine. AIM describes itself as "a non-profit, grassroots citizens watchdog of the news media that critiques botched and bungled news stories and sets the record straight on important issues that...
, and others.
Nevertheless, the network had interests on a broad base of issues. For instance, under the management of Weyrich the channel was involved discussing – on programs entitled American on Track and The New Electric Railway Journal (affiliated with a print magazine
The New Electric Railway Journal
The New Electric Railway Journal was a quarterly American magazine primarily about electric urban rail transit in North America, published from 1988 to 1998, with an international circulation. Its name was a tribute to a much earlier magazine with similar coverage, the Electric Railway Journal,...
of the same name) – public and mass transit issues, including local rail and interstate mass transit and the deleterious effects of automotive-oriented planning on environmental, economic, and urban quality of life. There were also programs and segments on family, community, and social issues that featured writers, local community activists and representatives, and academic leaders. Other programs focused on issues important to FCF activity: Endangered Liberties discussed privacy issues; Legal Notebook emphasized judicial nominations and court trends, and Next Revolution covered activities within social conservatism. The most popular program was Direct Line with Weyrich, in which the host interviewed lawmakers and other prominent figures live, permitted the public to call in directly with questions and comments, with Weyrich delivering commentary in the final segment. Additionally, the channel had programming on culinary and etiquette issues, even occasional segments devoted to wines and music.
In all of its programming, the management team under Weyrich sought a highly professionalized approach to both its advocacy and journalistic programming. Consequently, the channel featured high production values and cost a great deal. The FCF claimed that various ideologically liberal organizations and individuals and industry competitors pressured many advertising firms to withdraw or withhold support. The result was that revenue could not meet operating costs, and in response to donor and investor pressure for a clearer focus, FCF dropped all programs not directly related to public policy and conservative activism, and rebranded the channel as NET: The Conservative NewsTalk Network, with the initials NET no longer standing for anything, and the nine-dot logo replaced with one evoking the U.S. Capitol
United States Capitol
The United States Capitol is the meeting place of the United States Congress, the legislature of the federal government of the United States. Located in Washington, D.C., it sits atop Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall...
dome. It also began news reports and updates (akin to the likes of CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
, albeit keeping its ideological principles at the forefront), and a full-fledged investigative journalism program. However, the high cost of this strategy, perceived obstacles for entering the marketplace, and other factors combined to bring NET down by 1997.
As part of its audience mobilization strategy, NET invited viewers to participate in eight hours of live call-in television each day. Programs included:
- The Progress Report, hosted by then-House Minority Whip Newt GingrichNewt GingrichNewton Leroy "Newt" Gingrich is a U.S. Republican Party politician who served as the House Minority Whip from 1989 to 1995 and as the 58th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999....
and Heather HigginsHeather HigginsHeather Richardson Higgins is an American businesswoman, political commentator and non-profit sector executive. She is the president and CEO of Independent Women's Voice, the 501 sister organization of the Independent Women's Forum.... - Capitol Watch, hosted by Burt PinesBurt PinesBurt Pines is a California attorney and politician. He served as Los Angeles City Attorney from 1973 to 1981 and has served as a judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court since 2003.-Early life and education:...
and Council Nedd IICouncil Nedd IICouncil Nedd II is an American political, religious and cultural commentator who serves as the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Missionary Church, a Continuing Anglican body. Nedd is the first-born child of Council Nedd of Sumter, South Carolina and Gertrude D... - Direct Line with Paul WeyrichPaul WeyrichPaul M. Weyrich was an American conservativepolitical activist and commentator, most notable as a figurehead of the New Right. He co-founded the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank and the Free Congress Foundation, another conservative think tank...
- Borderline, a forum for discussion of conservativeConservatismConservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
views on immigrationImmigrationImmigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
policy. - The Cato Forum, which provided the Cato InstituteCato InstituteThe Cato Institute is a libertarian think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C. It was founded in 1977 by Edward H. Crane, who remains president and CEO, and Charles Koch, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the conglomerate Koch Industries, Inc., the largest privately held...
with an on-going opportunity to promote its beliefs concerning the illegitimacy of taxes and government regulation. - Legal Notebook, providing discussion and perspectives by legal analysts on crime in America.
- Straight Talk, produced in conjunction with the Family Research CouncilFamily Research CouncilThe Family Research Council is a conservative or right-wing Christian group and lobbying organization formed in the United States in 1981 by James Dobson. It was fully incorporated in 1983...
. - On Target with the National Rifle AssociationNational Rifle AssociationThe National Rifle Association of America is an American non-profit 501 civil rights organization which advocates for the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights and the promotion of firearm ownership rights as well as marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection...
. - Science Under Siege, co-produced with the Competitive Enterprise InstituteCompetitive Enterprise InstituteThe Competitive Enterprise Institute is a non-profit think tank founded on March 9, 1984 in Washington, D.C. by lobbyist Fred L. Smith, Jr to advance economic liberty and fight over-regulation by big government...
.
NET and Philip Morris
A number of detractors of NET have consistently referred to its support by Philip MorrisPhilip Morris USA
Philip Morris USA is the United States tobacco division of Altria Group, Inc. Philip Morris USA brands include Marlboro, Virginia Slims, Benson and Hedges, Merit, Parliament, Alpine, Basic, Cambridge, Bucks, Dave's, Chesterfield, Collector's Choice, Commander, English Ovals, Lark, L&M, Players and...
. In a 1993 internal strategy paper, Morris canvassed options for increasing NET's adverse coverage of Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
's proposal to finance an expanded public health care
Health care
Health care is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. Health care is delivered by practitioners in medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and other care providers...
system with increased taxes on tobacco
Tobacco
Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. It can be consumed, used as a pesticide and, in the form of nicotine tartrate, used in some medicines...
. "Generate additional publicity by having NET dedicate a news crew and programming to the health care issue as well as other challenges to the industry. Regarding health care, the crew could cover the town hall meeting sponsored by Citizens for a Sound Economy
Citizens for a Sound Economy
Citizens for a Sound Economy was a conservative political group operating in the United States, whose self-described mission was "to fight for less government, lower taxes, and less regulation." In 2004, Citizens for a Sound Economy split into two new organizations, with Citizens for a Sound...
(CSE) and broadcast the highlights nationally", the memo suggested.
"With respect to other issues, NET could produce their own version of a 60 Minutes
60 Minutes
60 Minutes is an American television news magazine, which has run on CBS since 1968. The program was created by producer Don Hewitt who set it apart by using a unique style of reporter-centered investigation....
show demonstrating the industry's side of controversial issues such as FDA/nicotine and the EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
's risk assessment on ETS. Finally, NET could sponsor public opinion surveys in key congression districts on the health care issue and broadcast the results," the memo stated.
While Morris was hoping to ask NET to assist advancing its corporate agenda, it was willing to return the favor to NET. "Philip Morris could increase the impact of NET's coverage by assisting the network in getting additional cable companies to carry their broadcasts", the memo stated.
Funding was an option too. "Since NET is a TV network, we could fund these activities via product advertisements from the food and beer business", the memo suggested.
However, Morris also advertised extensively on other broadcasting organizations, including an ideologically liberal radio network, Air America. Furthermore, Morris' funding to NET was extremely small. A March 1994 internal strategy document by Morris revealed that it spent only $200,000 to help fund NET. One proposed miniseries would 'focus on debunking the myths of the Clinton plan and the use of excises to fund such a plan, and to investigate more market-driven alternatives". Morris planned another miniseries critiquing the proposed Clinton health care plan, as a part of a broad-based effort by health care providers and businesses of all types to stop the nationalization of American health care.
NET and donor intervention and controversy
NET was also a broader resource for U.S. social and economic conservatism. Many organizations bought the rights to air programs on the channel. This was part of NET's strategy of flouting mainstream media. However, the strategy had flaws, as each associate added more oversight on NET's finances and programming segmentation, thereby diluting the focus of NET. For instance, Philip Morris was hopeful NET could prove to be a powerful campaign tool. "If the health care miniseries goes well, the possibilities of working with NET to present our side of the story are virtually limitless (VNR's, district by district canvassing, etc.) … but will require a substantial amount of increased support", the internal report noted. Although Morris decided against such a strategy, the report delineated the potential hazards of relying exclusively on associate broadcasters.Nevertheless, Weyrich and others remained steadfast in their programming orientation and optimism. In a proposal sent to potential sponsors, NET boasted that in its first nine months had "confirmed the validity of its motivating premise: that public affairs broadcasting based upon solid American principles and values has appeal beyond the hearty but thin ranks of policy wonks by making discussion of public affairs exciting and compelling, by igniting viewers' passions, by bringing elected officials onto love programs to be grilled by caller around the country, and by hosting programs not with TV personalities but with veteran Washington hands familiar with how the nation's capital works". Additionally, the network began inviting opposing viewpoints on a number of programs, in order to increase viewer interest. According to the proposal, one of the changes NET had made to its programs had been by "increasing conflict: Champions and opponents of measures increasingly face each other on the shows".
Another supporter was the then-Speaker of the House of Representatives
Speaker of the House of Representatives
-National governments:* Speaker of the House of Representatives of Antigua and Barbuda* Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives* Speaker of the House of Representatives of Belize* Speaker of the House of Representatives...
, Newt Gingrich
Newt Gingrich
Newton Leroy "Newt" Gingrich is a U.S. Republican Party politician who served as the House Minority Whip from 1989 to 1995 and as the 58th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999....
, who hosted his own weekly program, "Progress Report with Newt Gingrich". The program was paid for by Gingrich's Progress and Freedom Foundation and was reported to cost $140,000. Gingrich also helped out by hosting a February 1995 $50,000 plate fundraising dinner to top up NET's coffers.
In the ensuing controversy over Gingrich's role as a fundraiser for a conservative media organization, Weyrich defended his sponsor. "The fact is that but for the efforts of people like the speaker, NET would not continue", Weyrich wrote in a column in The Washington Times.
According to NET's proposal, its first year budget was $5.6 million with $1 million to be raised from eight 'associate producers' with advertising scheduled to bring in only $365,000 and on-air fundraising another $262,000. NET hoped any shortfall would be eliminated by grants and pledges from unspecified sources.
In 1995, Weyrich wrote to its associate broadcasters to inform them that from April 1, National Empowerment Television "will now be referred to as NET-Political NewsTalk Network".
"It seems that the name National Empowerment Television often led to some misconceptions about what we do. As we actively pursue new affiliates, we now hope to be more readily identifiable as a public policy organization", he explained.
High costs bring changes
Although NET was launched with a budget of $10 million, it bled money. In 1995 alone, Weyrich transferred $2 million in assets to the project. Despite the initial support of its original associate broadcasters, it was only enough to cover the operating costs on a continuing basis. Further, the fears of most big business corporations against sponsoring the network left the network isolated. When it failed to get financial support on a continuing basis, NET split off as a private business and sought private funds.FCF planned a new strategy to make NET a self-sustaining, even profitable, commercial enterprise, rather than a money-losing tool of outreach. However, the FCF blamed the hostility of other large media and agitation by liberal groups for refusal of support from the big advertising firms. Without enough revenue to cover its cost, the corporate board forced Weyrich to stop new segment programming and focus on retooling the network for a relaunch.
In a decision he later came to regret bitterly, Weyrich, under pressure from the associate broadcasters, turned over day-to-day operation of the channel to Robert Sutton
Robert Sutton
Robert Sutton may refer to:*Robert Sutton, 1st Baron Lexinton , Member of Parliament for Nottinghamshire in 1625 and again in 1640*Robert Sutton, 2nd Baron Lexinton , English diplomat...
, an industry veteran who had been successful with other startups. It relaunched in the spring of 1997 as a for-profit TV channel called "America's Voice", with another $20 million in seed money. However, Sutton came from the ranks of mainstream media and refused to agree with the ideological analysis that the television industry was failing to meet the demands of conservative and traditionalist viewers. A power struggle ensued, with Sutton persuading the network's board to force out Weyrich in a hostile takeover.
With Weyrich gone, under Sutton, the channel abandoned its conservative identity, marketing itself merely as a non-ideological forum for the public to make its views known to policymakers, akin to the call-in programs on C-SPAN
C-SPAN
C-SPAN , an acronym for Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network, is an American cable television network that offers coverage of federal government proceedings and other public affairs programming via its three television channels , one radio station and a group of websites that provide streaming...
. However, the network retained four conservative programs funded by the FCF and a few remaining supporters, but it had to pay to retain them. Finally, further pressure from advertisers and larger broadcasters allegedly forced even those to be removed.
With much of its original viewership alienated, and also with the rise of Fox News Channel
Fox News Channel
Fox News Channel , often called Fox News, is a cable and satellite television news channel owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of News Corporation...
as a popular source of conservative opinion on cable television, financial support under Sutton collapsed, and Dish Network
Dish Network
Dish Network Corporation is the second largest pay TV provider in the United States, providing direct broadcast satellite service—including satellite television, audio programming, and interactive television services—to 14.337 million commercial and residential customers in the United States. Dish...
dropped it. Eventually America's Voice was sold, becoming "The Renaissance Network" (TRN), airing on a few broadcast stations, mainly UHF and low-power channels. Facing ruin, TRN brought back FCF content, but it was not enough to save the operation.
Aftermath
FCF has also experimented with radio broadcasting, airing weekly taped programs on the Liberty Works Radio Network and other outlets.Today, the FCF offers interviews, soundbites, and commentary readings on its website FCF News on Demand.
In 2000, America's Voice was purchased by E-Cine, a Dallas-based multimedia company, which briefly returned Weyrich to the airwaves before succumbing to bankruptcy later that year.
Even had NET/America's Voice survived, Fox News Channel would have had several decisive advantages over it. Fox, in keeping with its parent News Corporation
News Corporation
News Corporation or News Corp. is an American multinational media conglomerate. It is the world's second-largest media conglomerate as of 2011 in terms of revenue, and the world's third largest in entertainment as of 2009, although the BBC remains the world's largest broadcaster...
's neoconservative orientation, sought a broader audience base by closely supporting the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
(instead of criticizing it from the right) and placing greater emphasis on entertainment value in its programming, the latter of which NET explicitly eschewed. NET viewers, by contrast, were a coalition of adherents to paleoconservative views on foreign policy (e.g., isolationism
Isolationism
Isolationism is the policy or doctrine of isolating one's country from the affairs of other nations by declining to enter into alliances, foreign economic commitments, international agreements, etc., seeking to devote the entire efforts of one's country to its own advancement and remain at peace by...
), radical laissez-faire
Laissez-faire
In economics, laissez-faire describes an environment in which transactions between private parties are free from state intervention, including restrictive regulations, taxes, tariffs and enforced monopolies....
economic positions, and traditionalist religion with astringent moral codes, viewpoints that do not lend themselves easily to a large audience, even among conservatives. More importantly, though, would have been the exceedingly larger capital News Corporation could invest in Fox, as opposed to NET's reliance on donors and outside organizations.
Other uses of the name "America's Voice"
Starting in 2007, an immigration reformImmigration reform
Immigration reform is a term used in political discussion regarding changes to current immigration policy of a country. In its strict definition, "reform " means to change into an improved form or condition, by amending or removing faults or abuses....
group began to use the name "America's Voice". The group is unrelated to the previous NET.
External links
- Thomas Goetz, "I'm Not a Reporter (http://www.cjr.org/year/94/5/gop.asp)," Columbia Journalism Review, September/October 1994.
- New project (http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/blz55e00), Bates No 2046662829, April 1993 (estimated), page 3.
- Philip Morris, "Tobacco strategy (http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/dtv34e00)", Bates No 2022887066, March 1994.
- Paul Weyrich, letter to Dr Thomas Borelli Philip Morris (http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/bsw87d00), Bates No 2046563261, September 20, 1994.
- National Empowerment Television, "Changing the Picture (http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/xsw87d00)", Bates No 2046563238, September 1994, page 1.
- Alan Bash, Calling into question deals that give Gingrich airtime (http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/stw87d00)", Bates No 2046563211, USA Today, February 28, 1995, page 3D.
- Paul Weyrich, "My $50,000 dinner with Newt (http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/atw87d00)", Bates No 2046563214, The Washington Times, February 10, 1995.
- National Empowerment Television, "Changing the Picture (http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/xsw87d00)", Bates No 2046563239, September 1994, page 12.
- Paul Weyrich, "letter to Steven Parrish (http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/ctw87d00)", Bates No 2046563217, January 16, 1995.
- Paul M. Weyrich, "Letter to Dr Thomas Borelli (http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/euw87d00)", Bates No 2045633155, April 12, 1995.
- Diana J. Weyrich, "letter to Dr Thomas Borelli (http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/otw87d00)", Bates No 2046563181, May 18, 1995.
- http://www.mediatransparency.org/recipients/free_congress.htm
- Lawrence Morahan, "Conservative Icon Weyrich Warns 'Moral Minority' Still Dwindling (http://www.conservativenews.org/Politics/archive/200201/POL20020114b.html)," Conservative News Service, January 14, 2002.
Retrieved from "http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=National_Empowerment_Television"