Surely the Disco. Inst.’s Rob Crowther doesn’t want to cast ID in the role of a murderer or a pedophile, but the parallel is inescapable in his latest whinge about NOVA’s Judgment Day (airing next Tuesday on PBS):

First they dramatized the O.J. Simpson trial. Then they acted out Michael Jackson?s courtroom drama. This time around we have NOVA reenacting parts of the 2005 Dover intelligent design trial presided over by Judge John E. Jones.

Later, Crowther complains that the DI wanted to be in the show, but couldn’t because, well, let’s let them explain:

Initially, when we agreed to sit for interviews, as long as we could monitor and record the interviews, NOVA agreed. ?

[NOVA offered to provide a copy of the interview, with these conditions]

DI agrees that any use of such recordings will be limited to DI’s commenting upon or reviewing the NOVA program or other related internal DI uses, and shall not be used for purposes unrelated to commenting upon the specific NOVA program, such as but not limited to, fundraising, lobbying, general advocacy, or in any publicly exhibited media.

Crowther concludes that:

Clearly, NOVA didn?t want to be held accountable. If they weren?t planning to slice and dice the interviews, then why not let us record them? If you’ve nothing to hide, why refuse to allow complete transcripts to be made available?

Of course, if Crowther just intended to be able to review and comment on the show, there would be no problem. It’s only an issue if the Discoers wanted to be able to use the NOVA video in fundraising, lobbying or other publicity. NOVA clearly didn’t mind being held accountable, they just don’t want to give free B-roll to culture warriors.