In an open letter KDKA-TV general manager Chris Pike and KDKA-AM station manager Michael Young, Christian Associates, a regional ecumenical association representing 15 Christian denominations, has called on KDKA to apologize to "The Community Presbyterian Church of Ben Avon and to the Pittsburgh Presbytery for the misleading promos and unfortunate lapse in journalistic reporting that led to the Rev. Brent Dugan's unfortunate death in November 2006."

Dugan committed suicide after KDKA-TV aired promos that showed Dugan's face for a Marty Griffin report that supposedly uncovered illicit behavior by the pastor.

The Rev. Dr. Donald B. Green, executive director of Christian Associates, said KDKA has agreed to meet with representatives of the group and of the Pittsburgh Presbytery on Feb. 20 to discuss the matter.

KDKA-TV general manager Chris Pike said he would have no comment on the letter beyond the station's statement last year expressing condolences to Dugan's family and friends and explaining the rationale for the story.

Here's the full text of Christian Associates' thoughtful letter:

February 5, 2007

We, Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania submit this "Letter of Concern" to be placed in the public file of KDKA-TV & Radio as part of their reporting for license renewal with the Federal Communications Commission and that all broadcast stations and journalistic enterprises in the region pay heed to our concern.

We call upon KDKA-TV and KDKA-Radio to apologize to The Community Presbyterian Church of Ben Avon and to the Pittsburgh Presbytery for the misleading promos and unfortunate lapse in journalistic reporting that led to the Rev. Brent Dugan's unfortunate death in November 2006.

The Pittsburgh region is a traditional, family oriented community which is bound by high standards for the common good. Therefore, it is troubling when television and radio investigative reporting lowers its standards below the public's in an attempt to receive higher ratings.

Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania through the delivery of this statement requests that all Radio-Television reporters and other news services live up to the journalistic code of their respected areas of expertise. When reporting on stories of public interest, we expect that such stories will be done in a truthful, fair, independent, accountable manner, with integrity and respect for the common good.

We believe the news report about the Rev. Brent Dugan which was hyped in promos for a local newscast possibly led him to take his life. Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania expresses our grave dismay and deep disappointment about the news reporting and promotion of this story. The TV/Radio promos sentenced Rev. Dugan before there was ample time for further investigation, allowing for possible charges to be filed with Pittsburgh Presbytery, leading to an ecclesiastical process that could have provided for repentance, rehabilitation, and forgiveness.

However, the damage was already done through the promos playing on the stations. We contend that promotional or publicity material wasn't sharply scrutinized before use in the case of the Rev. Brent Dugan. The Code of Ethics and Professional conduct was broken here which states:

"Broadcast journalists shall display humane respect for the dignity, privacy and the well-being of persons with whom the news deals." (Article Four under the Code of Broadcast News Ethics Radio-Television News Directors Association) This incident represents a breach in the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct by the investigative reporter and the station management regarding their responsibility.

To summarize: Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania is concerned not only with this very unfortunate case for which we believe KDKA --TV & Radio bears responsibility. We are also concerned about the reporting of all stories that are done for increased viewers (ratings) versus the common good. We deplore the exploitation of religious leaders and issues for increased ratings at the expense of journalistic integrity and the truth.

We demand an immediate meeting with KDKA-TV & Radio management along with the Pastor to the Pittsburgh Presbytery and leadership of the presbytery to discuss this matter. We request that the station respond to this letter confirming that this Letter of Concern has been placed in the station's public file.

On behalf of the Executive Committee of Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania Council of Bishops and Judicatory Executives,

Rev. Dr. Donald B. Green

Executive Director

ENCL: Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, Radio-Television News Directors Association & Foundation; www.rtnda.org/ethics/coe.shtml Code of Ethics, Society of Professional Journalists; www.spj.org/ethics.asp?

CC: CASP Executive Committee:

Rev. Dr. Douglas Holben, Chair, Executive Presbyter, Redstone Presbytery

Rev. Alan McLarty, Vice-Chair, Conference Minister, West Penn Conference, United Church of Christ

Major Robert Reel, Secretary, Commander, Western PA Division, The Salvation Army

Fr. John Abdalah, Dean, Western PA Deanery, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church

Rev. Dr. Eric Brown, President, CASP Board of Delegates, Presiding Elder, Allegheny Scranton District, African Methodist Episcopal Church

Rev. Dr. Darwin Collins, Regional Minister, Christian Church (Disciples) in PA

Archbishop Basil Schott, Metropolitan Archdiocese of Pittsburgh, Byzantine Catholic Church

Rev. Dr. Wayne Yost, Executive Presbyter, Kiskiminetas Presbytery

Rev. James Mead, Pastor to the Presbytery, Pittsburgh Presbytery

Mr. Gregg Hartung, Presbyterian Media Mission