As a loyal listener to NPR I find myself in the odd position of siding with its opponents in the latest dust-up over funding. In fact, I am more out of the mainstream than they are.
I don't think public broadcasting should receive ANY Federal funds.
Why? Because I don't want NPR beholden to the powers that be. You can see the potential problems playing out right now as the Republicans fight for control of the content being broadcast. If the gov't pays some of the bills then it is childish to think that that won't, at least occasionally, influence what is produced.
Public radio and TV need to be truly public. No government. Even more than that, no big business. The listeners and views who love public broadcasting need to take action to liberate our local stations from these corrupting influences.
Now, since corporate and government funding comprises roughly half of all funding for public broadcasting, this plan would require one of three changes:
1) The members all need to double their donations.
2) We need to double the number of donors.
3) We need to accept a public broadcasting that is half as well funded as it is now (with the corresponding loss of quality).
Obviously, the second choice is the best. And I think that a concentrated campaign - which made it clear to non-member listeners/viewers that either they join up or the third option would go into effect - would succeed.
And, if we can't get rid of both government and corporate funding, then we can definitely handle getting rid of government funding. After all, it is only about 10% of the budget in most cases. Announcing the refusal of government funding should result in at least enough NPR listening Republicans (yes, they exist) that currently feel their "dues" are paid via their taxes to join and offset the loss of money.
NPR and PBS do a great job. But they won't if they are slowly but surely co-opted by the government and big business. We need to set our news source free people.
Who's with me!
Anyone?