ARTWATCH INTERNATIONAL ON NPR's D'ARCY AFFAIR

National Public Radio's latest corporate stupidity -- NPR barred "Weekend Edition" host Scott Simon from appearing on the XM Satellite Radio show hosted by Bob Edwards, who was axed from "Morning Edition" last year -- has Daniel Schorr wondering, "What's going to happen next?"

Well, Dan, if NPR's continuing lack of candor about why it axed longtime arts reporter David D'Arcy (right) is any hint, it looks like more of the same is going to happen next. As a veteran commentator on national and foreign affairs, Dan, perhaps you recall what Israeli diplomat Abba Eban used to say about the PLO: "[They] never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity." It sounds to me like that applies equally to NPR these days. Given half a chance, the management magnificos at the network will go on shooting themselves in the foot.

James Beck, founder and president of the art preservation organization ArtWatch International, goes further. In e-mail messages to the NPR board chairman and other top network execs, including the NPR ombudsman, Beck claimed that the "situation surrounding the removal" of D'Arcy -- namely pressure on NPR from Museum of Modern Art officials, who complained about D'Arcy's reporting -- causes concern

that independent, disinterested, and uninfluenced reporting about art may be in jeopardy. Even powerful institutions like the Museum of Modern Art should not be allowed to influence transparency and the free reporting of information.

Beck, who is a widely respected art historian at Columbia University -- he recently revealed that the "Madonna of the Pinks" acquired by the London National Gallery, which was hyped in the press, is actually a 19th century copy of the Raphael painting -- asked NPR for "clarification and assurances" about the facts of the D'Arcy case. But according to the latest ArtWatch newsletter, he received nothing more than a pro forma response acknowledging receipt of his e-mails. The newsletter notes further: "It is surprising that Ombudsman Jeffrey Dvorkin did not respond to the letter, but rather sent it along to be handled by the Corporate Communications division." Some ombudsman.

Separately, in a letter obtained by Straight Up, Beck wrote Nick Tinari, an attorney active in arts issues such as the effort to keep the painting collection of the Barnes Foundation in Merion, Pa.:

ArtWatch is concerned about the implications of this [D'Arcy] matter for the larger and critical issue of the freedom of the media to report on the activities of influential cultural institutions. ... I can assure you that we will continue our investigation into this matter, and will post developments on our website. At the crux of this unhealthy situation is the unchecked power of museums, which can and do control information and the press.

Straight Up's staff of thousands also intends to follow up with further developments in the D'Arcy affair in the near future.

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