Quote:
Originally posted by DeltAlum
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.
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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.
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I think there is no need for govt. money of any kind, and state universities operate with govt. money.
Govt. money is govt. money - even if spent for tech upgrades.
If PBS/NPR are getting govt. money, the govt. can dictate. Apparently we both agree.
If we disagree 'from a programming perspective', are you saying PBS/NPR's programs are not already nearly totally duplicated on commercial stations, networks, and cable?
In Atlanta, the near bankrupt and corrupt Board of Education owns a PBS station, broadcasting childrens programs (see Nickelodean, Cartoon Channel, Family, Animal Channel, etc.), Charlie Rose (see Hardball, O'Reilly, Larry King, etc.), and the evening PBS schedule (see Travel Channel, Home & Garden TV, History Channel, Discovery, Food, etc.). For many years, they showed their monthly meeting on Monday nights, and it became a humor show, with enormous ladys' hats and enormous and pompous speeches - but no debate or discussion.
Atlanta also has a second PBS channel run by the state govt., showing almost exactly the same stuff, usually at alternate times - but often showing the same thing at the same time.
I know that PBS/NPR has a wealthy and vocal - but very small - crowd, and has a big budget to support politically correct causes, so I have little belief that govt. funding will end soon.