The experiences and exploits of a college grad trying to make it in the "real world:" leaving school and friends in New England, moving south, and living with her boyfriend. Watch as I pretend to be an adult.
Thursday Tantrum 9: In which I debate the merits of public broadcasting with a libertarian- pt 1
Libertarian (responding to my request to sign a petition to block funding cuts for NPR and PBS): So are you telling me that if the government stops funding PBS and NPR, Sesame Street will cease to exist? I'd be willing to bet they would find *some* form of alternate funding.... besides, what business does the government have subsidizing television and radio shows anyhow? Last I checked, I don't refer to my neighbor as "Comrade" ;) As for NPR, I think those radio hosts DO call their neighbors "Comrade"! Other than that, I have no strong feelings on the matter... :) On a serious note though, any successful television show, even kids shows, will survive if they're good, for enough private citizens will donate to keep them alive. I'd be willing to bet DVD sales of Sesame Street and the like would alone rake in enough money to run a basic television network, assuming it were managed efficiently. PBS shows will just have to live more in reality if they don't receive government handouts. I would be sad though if all we had left for kids' shows were Telechubbies and Squarebob Spongepants.
My Responce: NPR and PBS are yes, partially funded by the US government. But every media source we have (barring certain internet forums and some cable) is partially funded by the gov't- if nothing else in the form of tax breaks. Government is involved in media up to it's eyeballs- FCC, Movie ratings, you name it. The fact is, in a day when Fox, CBS, NBC and the other major TV stations are focusing on things like "Survivor," "Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire," and god knows what else they're showing these days, and when "news" shows bow to political pressure and refuse to mention Iraqi casualties (ABC), or describe Bush's falling popularity (the major stations just started reporting this recently, when it's been falling for months), or refuse to headline major musicians because of political concerns (MTV nine inch nails), NPR and PBS consistantly offer a higher quality programming. It's not (neccesarily) about big bird- it's about "All Things Considered," "The Diane Ream Show," and "A Prarie Home Companion." Other than the internet and the Daily Show, can you tell me where else we get intelligent political and social commentary and debate in a public forum easily accesible to the masses? What about a free forum? On standard TV everything I've seen is ridiculous "crossballs" type stuff that is more circus theatrics than an exchange of ideas. I've been listening to NPR and watching PBS ever since I can remember, and I've never caught a hint of government propoganda or bias that wasn't countered by another pov- and trust me, I'd pick up on that, especially with this current administration. Hearing anyone defend their actions makes me so incredibly mad.... The sad fact is, however, that a large number of Americans would rather listen to Howard Stern than stretch their minds around, say, "All Things Considered." Have you watched CBS news lately? I used to. But first Fox changed over from a "hard" news format to a debate/social interest/shock news format, then NBC, ABC, and now CBS has done the same. Why? Well, their ratings were slipping. It seems the average american appreciates fluff more than substance. Programming like that offered on PBS and NPR isn't profitable, generally. Seseme Street is (potentially), possible a few other shows, and maybe one or two of the talk shows on PBS. Yes, of course there are other alternatives to gov't funding. I'm sure that if the gov't pulled it's funding, PBS and NPR wouldn't disapear overnight. But their programs would suffer big cuts and content changes to increase profitability. In all likelihood, NPR would change to a "Syrius" or "XM" type arrangement, which would take it off the common market, and PBS might go from basic cable to a package deal like HBO. I understand your concerns about government involvement in the media- I do. But I wouldn't support PBS and NPR if I thought they were vehicles for gov't propaganda. Everything I've seen and heard (and, as I've said, I've been watching and listening to these for at least 15 years) reasures me that they keep their impartiality- and I think they have a very important role to play.
After 22 posted at 1:35 PM
