Denver Post Article On Channel One

August 29, 2001

http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1002,53%7E124314,00.html

In an astonishing article by Eric Hubler, Denver Post education writer, it is clear that Channel One is in big trouble in Colorado with their offer to pay teachers for doing work for their company.

The Colorado State Education Commissioner William Moloney called Channel One’s programming "pretty low-grade." Moloney calls Channel One’s effort "a little exotic, if not outright bizarre."

The president of the Denver’s teacher union said of Channel One’s offer to pay teachers for signing up schools for Channel One, "I just don’t think it’s right. You can have your license removed."

Channel One’s spokesperson, Sonya McNair, is quoted.  She calls the $500 bounty "a sort of honorarium, an appreciation for sharing the important service that Channel One provides."

Tell that to the district attorneys of Colorado.

Ken Lane, spokesperson for Colorado Attorney General Ken Salazar, said, "This appears to fall under the Colorado code of ethics for government employees." The article goes on : "Lane said violations, if any, would be handled by local district attorneys.  Teachers who take the money could be fined and prosecuted, he said."

Consider it a … ah… honorarium. That’s it! An honorarium.

Jim Ritts sez