State Rep. John Graham Altman, R-Charleston, wants to fire the seven-member ETV board because he thinks the state-funded network broadcasts liberal propaganda.

Altman filed a bill this week that would give lawmakers veto power over the governor's appointments to the ETV board. If passed, the bill would end the terms of all current ETV board members. The governor would re-appoint or appoint new members, subject to legislative approval.

Altman objects to ETV plans to air "Corridor of Shame" on May 22 and 29. The show describes run-down conditions in several rural state schools.

Altman said the 58-minute film presents only one side of a complicated issue being adjudicated in state court. Some of the state's poor school districts filed suit seeking to force the General Assembly to spend more money on substandard rural schools. A ruling in the case is pending.

"It's a blatant attempt to use ETV to place an undue influence on judges," Altman said.

Altman said he enjoys the network's British comedies, cooking shows and documentaries, such as a recent special on black boxer Jack Johnson.

But he said "Corridor of Shame" crosses the line into advocacy, which is inappropriate for a state-funded TV network. The network is slated to receive $14.5 million in state money next year, according to the Senate Finance Committee's budget proposal.

Altman lambasted ETV last year for showing "We Are Your Neighbors," a locally produced program about gays, and filed a bill to slash the network's funding. The bill got nowhere.

Altman said most House members favor his bill. "All I want is for ETV to remember who they are," he said.

Altman said he will request a Legislative Council performance audit of ETV.

"I want to save ETV, and the ETV board looks determined to cut ETV's throat," he said.

"Corridor of Shame" was created and funded by a non-partisan group, including ETV Chairman Robert Rainey. Lowcountry sponsors of the program include Charles S. Way Jr. and Harry Butler Jr., according to ETV. The Sisters of Charity Foundation, the Knight Foundation, The Springs Close Foundation, Joel Smith and Hayne Hipp also contributed to "Corridor of Shame," according to an ETV "talking points" memo released Friday.

The program includes comments from Republicans and Democrats and draws no conclusions, ETV says.

"We believe this governor and past governors have done an excellent job in appointing ETV commissioners who are active and concerned citizens and care deeply about ETV's mission," said the memo, released by ETV Vice President of Communications Catherine Christman.

ETV Commissioner Lee Gaillard of Charleston said "Corridor of Shame" is a worthwhile program. ETV should do more than promote tourism and state success stories, he said.

"What it is doing is saying to the state that we don't have equity in our school districts. What good is the news if the news is not going to bring light on problems that are confronting our school districts?" he said.

ETV commissioners aren't paid, he said, so the notion of firing them is a joke.

ETV President Moss Bresnahan said "Corridor of Shame" gives school administrators and teachers from rural areas an opportunity to share their daily challenges.

"I think it's important to note that we're going to air the program with a panel discussion after the broadcast which will provide our viewers with different points of view on the issue," Bresnahan said.

John Frank of The Post and Courier contributed to this article.