Veteran public radio personality Robert Skoglund (a.k.a. "The humble Farmer") has produced his unique show on the Maine Public Broadcasting Network for nearly 30 years. These programs combine obscure jazz with his trademark "rants," flights of dry humor and wisdom that have earned Skoglund a die-hard following.
Last fall, however, one such rant attracted the ire of MPBN's management. Skoglund's mistake? Reading the Encyclopedia Britannica entry on the rise of fascism in Italy, drawing subtle yet subversive parallels to present-day American politics. Skoglund is now embroiled in the fight of his life, and he needs all the support we can give him ...
(crossposted, in a different form, at www.ncac.org)
Skoglund's dilemma has recently been chronicled by The Christian Science Monitor and Village Soup. You can also learn more about him at his Web site, where - as a substitute for on-air commentary - he has lately taken to posting his "rants" for all to read.
His troubles began late last year, when he was instructed by VP for Radio Services Charles Beck to cease discussing "(his) own or others' political thoughts, ideas, expressions, writings or thinking...." In a chilling letter consisting of seven such "points of understanding," Beck essentially forbade Skoglund from expressing himself on the air, concluding, "If we know or perceive that you are not in agreement with these requests ... we will immediately cancel your program from our schedule."
Such disregard for First Amendment values is astonishing, especially in an institution whose stated mission includes "fostering an informed and active citizenry" and "providing a forum for a broad spectrum of opinions and perspectives." Of course, construed so broadly, the restriction on so-called "political" speech covers a vast array of civic ideas and issues. Mr. Skoglund has never used his show as a platform to promote any partisan platform or candidate; rather, this restriction seems designed to really silence him, as it would bar Skoglund from even reflecting on matters of broad social significance – a staple of his radio persona.
One fan recently wrote of Skoglund, "His rants on the air have been an indication that we live in a democracy. Their silencing is a bellwether of its decline." True enough, while funding cuts and partisan pressures have rallied impassioned support of public broadcasting from the grassroots, local ordeals like Skoglund's often go unreported or unnoticed - and others simply censor themselves under these kinds of pressures, and never speak out. That's why it is essential that MPBN hear from people who refuse to accept the silencing of The humble Farmer.
I hope you'll take a moment to contact MPBN and express your support for Robert Skoglund.