Great cities become great because of the people who inhabit them, and the people who lead them through good times and bad. New York City is no exception to this rule. Just as a winning team needs a dedicated and focused coaching staff, a great city needs dependable civic and political leadership. Despite occasional setbacks, this process works relatively well in the United States because our Constitution guarantees us a free press.
A free and independent press reports, explains and interprets our times. It also acts as a counterbalance to political extremes and social whims. From the days of the first printing press to the digital, multimedia age we live in now, access to knowledge and independent analysis is the key to freedom itself.
In New York, we are happily spoiled with choices for news, information and entertainment. In this spirit, the Municipal Art Society of New York has decided to honor public television station Thirteen/WNET New York with the 2005 Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Medal. This is the first time that the MAS will present its highest honor to a fellow New York institution.
For more than 40 years, Thirteen has given New Yorkers a window on their city. In holding up the mirror to the city's history, culture, streetscapes, artistic achievements and vitality -- not to mention its fascinating people -- Thirteen makes New York a more livable city.
The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Medal is presented annually to acknowledge an outstanding contribution to the city. Thirteen makes its contribution everyday. It is one of the key producing stations for PBS and brings us Nature and Great Performances, American Masters and Charlie Rose, among many others. As the flagship public broadcaster in the New York City metro area, Thirteen reaches millions of viewers each week without fear or favor.
Thirteen, along with PBS, has been in the spotlight this past year for reasons beyond the content of its broadcasts. But throughout, the professionalism of its staff and their commitment to freedom of the press has not bowed. The Municipal Art Society of New York stands with Thirteen proudly.