Open media advocate William Fore dies at 92
Christian Century contributor and open media advocate William Fore died July 30 at the age of 92.
Fore, who was ordained in the United Methodist Church, spent 25 years leading the National Council of Churches’ broadcasting and film commission. In that role, Fore not only helped create hundreds of educational programs for network television, he also played a key role in improving the balance in television news.
In 1969, when members of Black Mississippians began boycotting local television station WLBT-TV after the station refused to give airtime to a Black gubernatorial candidate, Fore secured ecumenical support for the lawsuit that ultimately cost the station its license.
In 1971, Fore founded the National Coalition Against Censorship, which continues to help libraries, teachers, and students fight censorship battles. Fore also served as chair of the National Advisory Council for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting from 1972 to 1975 and as president of the World Association for Christian Communication from 1982 to 1988.
He was the author of several books, including Mythmakers: Gospel, Culture, and the Media and Television and Religion: The Shaping of Faith, Values, and Culture.
