Best of Chicago voting is live now. Vote for your favorites »
But neither the station nor Image Union had ever committed to airing the winning film in the Reporter competition — IU simply agreed to select one of the entries and show it. What’s more, WTTW’s senior vice president of TV content, Dan Soles, told me that if Beyondmedia sent him the full 53-minute film, he’d watch it and consider it. That’s the note on which I ended.
Some of Beyondmedia’s friends have done what they were asked. These comments follow my column. “When you combine shameless lack of courage and programming cowardice you get censorship. Sadly, this is what we’ve come to expect from WTTW.” “This is a very real story that shouldn’t be censored just because it involves sex work.” “WTTW, get over your puritanism and show something that matters to us.” “To hear of this competition-turned-censorship-move isn’t just disheartening, it’s angering.”
