The Maine Public Broadcasting Corp. has decided not to air a daily news radio show that criticizes the war in Iraq, despite the efforts of a group seeking “more varied perspectives and in-depth reporting” on world events.

The controversial program “Democracy Now!” is hosted by journalist Amy Goodman and covers subjects including military repression in Indonesia, sweatshop labor around the globe, genetically altered food, the death penalty and environmental struggles.

MPBC has received more than 2,300 e-mails, postcards and phone calls from people who want the program, according to Rhonda Morin, spokesperson for MPBC, which consists of public radio and television.

Four hundred requests were from MPBC members, she said.

The decision by a majority of the 10-member MPBC steering committee was made after reviewing the program, attending lectures presented by Goodman and obtaining feedback from the organization’s 16-member community advisory board, Morin said Tuesday.

The committee felt it was “far from being fair and balanced” and that it “didn’t fit within the journalistic ethics of what we adhere to,” she said. “We don’t carry any type of news programming … that supports or advocates for … a particular point of view or stand on an issue.”

The show is broadcast on WERU-FM in Orland from 8 to 9 a.m. and from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. David Kubiak, a member of an advocacy group, Bring Democracy Now! to Maine, said people aren’t getting all the information they need.

“The media environment has become a competitive propaganda machine and the sources almost entirely presented on TV and radio represent the administration stances and pro-war and conservative opinions.”

Broadcasting the show could ease MPBC’s tight budget, according to Kubiak. He said the show generates a large audience and that its first 18 months would be offered free to MPBC. In addition, one resident has offered $5,000 to the station if it would air the program, Kubiak said.

Requests for the show also were submitted from a variety of religious, political, environmental, labor, educational and peace groups from across the state, including the Maine Council of Churches, the Maine AFL-CIO, and the Maine Democratic Party, said Kubiak.

The advocacy group had planned to protest at the MPBC annual meeting, which was postponed last Saturday because of the weather. When the meeting is rescheduled, members will attend.

The group is urging people to withhold dues and pledges until public radio agrees to give the show a try.