Weyrich had long believed that the mainstream news and entertainment
media exhibited a
liberal bias, opposed structurally, as well as in terms of content, to what figures in the conservative movement defined as traditional American culture and government. In an attempt to help counter the perceived phenomenon, he mobilized groups and donors who were equally concerned by the supposed lack of journalistic integrity, and who were disgusted by the complete dismissals of these concerns by established broadcasters and publishers. Coordinated by Weyrich's
Free Congress Foundation (FCF), the activists and donors launched a
Washington, D.C.–based satellite television network 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 6 December 1993. Academics and representatives of the mainstream media roundly criticized NET, namely because of its drastic departure from the mainstream 20th-century paradigm of
disinterested reportage, in favor of what they viewed as blatant
propaganda. 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 of America, and the
American Life League, an
anti-abortion group. The
CJR analysis referred to FCF's attempt to circumvent mainstream media opposition by using associate broadcasters (i.e., organizations not legally related to FCF), local broadcasting channels for
television syndication, and other non-traditional means of marketing. Thus, NET became a broader resource for United States' social and economic conservative movements. Many advertisers from organizations that had been traditionally shunned by major broadcasters bought airtime on the channel. These included
televangelists on local religious stations and networks like
Christian Coalition, the
Cato Institute, Accuracy in Media, and others. Nevertheless, the network was interested in a broad base of issues, including topics not typically associated with American conservatism. For instance, under the management of Weyrich, NET was involved in 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 the American environment, economy, 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, and 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, and 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, 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 to 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 Gingrich and
Heather Higgins •
Capitol Watch, hosted by Burton Pines and Council Nedd II •
Direct Line, with Weyrich •
Borderline, a forum for discussion of
restrictionist views on
immigration policy •
The Cato Forum, provided the Cato Institute, an established
libertarian think tank, with an ongoing opportunity to promote its beliefs concerning the
illegitimacy of taxes and
government regulation •
Legal Notebook, provided discussion and perspectives by legal analysts on
crime in America •
Straight Talk, produced in conjunction with the
Family Research Council •
On Target, produced in conjunction with the
National Rifle Association •
Science Under Siege, co-produced with the
Competitive Enterprise Institute NET and Philip Morris Some detractors of NET cite its support from
Philip Morris. In a 1993 internal strategy paper, the company discussed options for increasing NET's adverse coverage of
Bill Clinton's proposal to
finance an expanded public healthcare 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
[sic] 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 congressional districts on the health care issue and broadcast the results," the memo stated. While the company was hoping to get NET to assist in advancing its corporate agenda, Morris 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 also an option; "Since NET is a TV network, we could fund these activities via product advertisements from the food and beer business", the memo suggested. Despite the potential for controversy, the company's funding of NET was extremely minor. A March 1994 internal strategy document 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. == Donor intervention and controversy ==