PBS chief Paula Kerger defends airing, funding of George Shultz documentary series

PBS chief defends airing of George Shultz film

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — PBS chief Paula Kerger says she doesn’t regret airing a documentary series last month on former Secretary of State George Shultz that some critics argued was tainted by its funding.

Kerger told the Television Critics Association on Wednesday that the three-part film, “Turmoil and Triumph: The George Shultz Years,” received money from a variety of sources, including people connected with Shultz.

But she says none of the donors controlled the documentary’s content, adding that the film reflected public TV’s effort to present a variety of viewpoints. Shultz served in the Reagan administration.

The PBS ombudsman said in July the series created “at least the appearance of a conflict of interest” because of its flattering portrait of Shultz and its funding.