Quote:
Originally posted by hoosier
I think it's time for the government to cease funding public TV and radio.
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Actually, you're almost too late.
Very little money comes to Public Broadcasting from the government these days -- with the possible exception of outlets run by state supported organizations such as universities who have their own stations.
By far, the most money comes from philanthropic organizations and viewer contributions. That's why we see all of those sponsor announcements at the beginning and end of programs and have to deal with all of the insipid pledge drives.
Former Speaker Gingrich wanted to "zero out" all Federal dollars for public broadcasting -- but it turns out there just isn't that much.
Most of what is left is probably spent on technical upgrades as oppossed to programming.
And, frankly, from a programming perspective, I couldn't disagree with you more. One of the hallmarks of a free society is a media that is not run by, or beholden to the government -- and one of the things most necessary for a dictatorship is a media dictated to by the state.