( Go to Main Page or NoPledge Page or Underwriters Page )
The following letters can be used as model letters that you can send to underwriters of WBUR. You can copy the text from the web page into your word processor. We encourage you not to use the text exactly as it is here but to modify it to express the ideas in your own words. We do recommend maintaining the tone of respect and friendliness. These businesses that support WBUR as underwriters probably do not wish harm to Israel or Jews and simply do not understand the harm that NPR's distorted reporting is doing.
All letters should have your name and address and the date at the top. They should end with "Yours truly", "Very truly yours", etc. as you prefer, and your signature.
The following sample letters are available below. The owner of Direct Tire is known to be unhappy with NPR, but he is still listed as an underwriter. It is arguably necessary for his business to advertise on WBUR, but he does not have to lend his support to the station by being listed as an underwriter.
The following sample letters are still included below as examples of the kinds of letters you can write. We are happy to report that these two former underwriters have dropped their support of WBUR. Legal Seafoods used to head up recruitment of underwriters, so it is a significant step that they dropped their support.
Barry Steinberg
Direct Tire and Auto Service
126 Galen Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Dear Mr. Steinberg:
Our experience buying tires at Direct Tire has always been pleasant, and we would have looked forward to doing business with you again in the future.
However, we are sorry to hear that your restaurant is an underwriter of WBUR and therefore a supporter of National Public Radio. While much of the programming on WBUR is very interesting, and we listen often, NPR's reporting on Israel and the Middle East—we find and others have documented—is biased, unbalanced, distorted, and too often inaccurate. NPR thereby undermines the legitimacy of the State of Israel and promotes anti-Semitism.
We are sure that by supporting WBUR you wish to make a good impression on your local community. Unfortunately, because of the bad reputation that NPR has earned, the result may be quite the opposite. Since we do not want our money to support institutions that endanger us and our family, we do not feel comfortable patronizing your establishment.
A number of businesses—including New England Mobile Book Fair, Wordsworth Books, and Cognex Corporation—have publicly withdrawn their support of WBUR/NPR and have terminated their longstanding underwriting relationships. We would welcome the news that you have made the same decision.
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Barry Steinberg
Direct Tire and Auto Service
126 Galen Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Dear Mr. Steinberg:
We have heard from friends and acquaintances that Direct Tire is one of the best places to purchase tires, and we would have looked forward to doing business with you.
However, we are sorry to hear that your restaurant is an underwriter of WBUR and therefore a supporter of National Public Radio. While much of the programming on WBUR is very interesting, and we listen often, NPR's reporting on Israel and the Middle East—we find and others have documented—is biased, unbalanced, distorted, and too often inaccurate. NPR thereby undermines the legitimacy of the State of Israel and promotes anti-Semitism.
We are sure that by supporting WBUR you wish to make a good impression on your local community. Unfortunately, because of the bad reputation that NPR has earned, the result may be quite the opposite. Since we do not want our money to support institutions that endanger us and our family, we do not feel comfortable patronizing your establishment.
A number of businesses—including New England Mobile Book Fair, Wordsworth Books, and Cognex Corporation—have publicly withdrawn their support of WBUR/NPR and have terminated their longstanding underwriting relationships. We would welcome the news that you have made the same decision.
( Go to Top of Page or Main Page or NoPledge Page or Underwriters Page )
NOTE: Baker's Best is no longer a WBUR underwriter. Letters like the one below may have helped convince them to drop their support of WBUR.
Michael Baker
Baker's Best, Inc.
27 Lincoln Street
Newton Highlands, MA 02461-1526
Dear Mr. Baker:
We have very much enjoyed dining at Baker's Best in the past and have delighted in the high quality of your food.
However, we are sorry to hear that your restaurant is an underwriter of WBUR and therefore a supporter of National Public Radio. While much of the programming on WBUR is very interesting, and we listen often, NPR's reporting on Israel and the Middle East—we find and others have documented—is biased, unbalanced, distorted, and too often inaccurate. NPR thereby undermines the legitimacy of the State of Israel and promotes anti-Semitism.
We are sure that by supporting WBUR you wish to make a good impression on your local community. Unfortunately, because of the bad reputation that NPR has earned, the result may be quite the opposite. Since we do not want our money to support institutions that endanger us and our family, we do not feel comfortable patronizing your establishment.
A number of businesses—including New England Mobile Book Fair, Wordsworth Books, and Cognex Corporation—have publicly withdrawn their support of WBUR/NPR and have terminated their longstanding underwriting relationships. We would welcome the news that you have made the same decision.
( Go to Top of Page or Main Page or NoPledge Page or Underwriters Page )
NOTE: Baker's Best is no longer a WBUR underwriter. Letters like the one below may have helped convince them to drop their support of WBUR.
Michael Baker
Baker's Best, Inc.
27 Lincoln Street
Newton Highlands, MA 02461-1526
Dear Mr. Baker:
We have heard from acquaintances that Baker's Best offers delightful and delicious food, and we would have looked forward to eating there.
However, we are sorry to hear that your restaurant is an underwriter of WBUR and therefore a supporter of National Public Radio. While much of the programming on WBUR is very interesting, and we listen often, NPR's reporting on Israel and the Middle East—we find and others have documented—is biased, unbalanced, distorted, and too often inaccurate. NPR thereby undermines the legitimacy of the State of Israel and promotes anti-Semitism.
We are sure that by supporting WBUR you wish to make a good impression on your local community. Unfortunately, because of the bad reputation that NPR has earned, the result may be quite the opposite. Since we do not want our money to support institutions that endanger us and our family, we do not feel comfortable patronizing your establishment.
A number of businesses—including New England Mobile Book Fair, Wordsworth Books, and Cognex Corporation—have publicly withdrawn their support of WBUR/NPR and have terminated their longstanding underwriting relationships. We would welcome the news that you have made the same decision.
( Go to Top of Page or Main Page or NoPledge Page or Underwriters Page )
NOTE: Legal Seafoods is no longer a WBUR underwriter. Letters like the one below may have helped convince them to drop their support of WBUR.
Roger Berkowitz, President & CEO
Legal Sea Foods General Offices
33 Everett Street
Allston, MA 02134
Dear Mr. Berkowitz:
We have very much enjoyed dining at Legal Seafoods in the past, especially in Chestnut Hill, at MIT, and at the airports in Boston and Washington..
However, we are sorry to hear that you are an underwriter and fundraiser for WBUR and therefore a supporter of National Public Radio. While much of the programming on WBUR is very interesting, and we listen often, NPR's reporting on Israel and the Middle East—we find and others have documented—is biased, unbalanced, distorted, and too often inaccurate. NPR thereby undermines the legitimacy of the State of Israel and promotes anti-Semitism.
We are sure that by supporting WBUR you wish to make a good impression on your local community. Unfortunately, because of the bad reputation that NPR has earned, the result may be quite the opposite. Since we do not want our money to support institutions that endanger us and our family, we do not feel comfortable patronizing your establishment.
A number of businesses—including New England Mobile Book Fair, Wordsworth Books, and Cognex Corporation—have publicly withdrawn their support of WBUR/NPR and have terminated their longstanding underwriting relationships. We would welcome the news that you have made the same decision.
( Go to Top of Page or Main Page or NoPledge Page or Underwriters Page )
NOTE: Legal Seafoods is no longer a WBUR underwriter. Letters like the one below may have helped convince them to drop their support of WBUR.
Roger Berkowitz, President & CEO
Legal Sea Foods General Offices
33 Everett Street
Allston, MA 02134
Dear Mr. Berkowitz:
Legal Seafoods enjoys a reputation for excellent seafood, and we would have looked forward to eating there and buying our fish from the Legal Seafoods markets.
However, we are sorry to hear that you are an underwriter and fundraiser for WBUR and therefore a supporter of National Public Radio. While much of the programming on WBUR is very interesting, and we listen often, NPR's reporting on Israel and the Middle East—we find and others have documented—is biased, unbalanced, distorted, and too often inaccurate. NPR thereby undermines the legitimacy of the State of Israel and promotes anti-Semitism.
We are sure that by supporting WBUR you wish to make a good impression on your local community. Unfortunately, because of the bad reputation that NPR has earned, the result may be quite the opposite. Since we do not want our money to support institutions that endanger us and our family, we do not feel comfortable patronizing your establishment.
A number of businesses—including New England Mobile Book Fair, Wordsworth Books, and Cognex Corporation—have publicly withdrawn their support of WBUR/NPR and have terminated their longstanding underwriting relationships. We would welcome the news that you have made the same decision.
( Go to Top of Page or Main Page or NoPledge Page or Underwriters Page )