PBS controversy

The Coffee Shop
1

Saw this on the Drudgereport. and do not understand why the Dems have their panties in a wad. I could be wrong but isn’t PBS funded by tax $$? If so shouldn’t equal time be given to both left and right leaning programing? What am I missing here.

Two congressional Democrats called Wednesday for an investigation into recent activities by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, suggesting that efforts by the Republican chairman of the private nonprofit to add more conservative programs onto PBS may violate federal law.

In a letter released Wednesday evening, Rep. David Obey, D-Wis., and Rep. John D. Dingell, D-Mich., asked CPB Inspector General Kenneth A. Konz to investigate the contracting, hiring and policies of the corporation, which distributes federal funds to public television stations. Both congressmen are ranking Democrats on committees that have oversight of public television.

They called recent actions taken by CPB Chairman Kenneth Tomlinson disturbing'' and extremely troubling.‘’

A CPB spokesman could not be reached for comment. But in a recent interview with the LOS ANGELES TIMES, Tomlinson defended his efforts to expand conservative perspectives on PBS, saying he merely wants to increase the network’s audience.

2

The complaints are well founded. At issue is the intent of the legislation creating PBS. What was the intent of Congress when it setup the organization? Clearly the intent was not to provide a forum for conservative ideas, so obviously these efforts are in direct conflict with the ideals of our democracy.

To say otherwise is almost as foolish as saying that the law in NJ that said a political party could not change candidates within 45 days of the election means that the Democrats should have been disallowed from changing candidates 33 days before the Senate election two years ago. Obviously the election laws were not written to enable the election of Republicans, so the interpretation is obvious.

I hope that helps.

3

Oh I see now. I thought it had more to do with the lefts constant complaining about all of the conservative talk shows filling the air waves and demanding equal time. I guess it doesn’t matter that talk shows on radio are not publicly funded with tax payer $ but rather driven by sponsors willing to shell out big bucks. Thanks for clarifying that for me.

4

You are most welcome. I am always happy to help out any member of the military.

5

Saw this on the Drudgereport. and do not understand why the Dems have their panties in a wad. I could be wrong but isn’t PBS funded by tax $$? If so shouldn’t equal time be given to both left and right leaning programing? What am I missing here.

Two congressional Democrats called Wednesday for an investigation into recent activities by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, suggesting that efforts by the Republican chairman of the private nonprofit to add more conservative programs onto PBS may violate federal law.

In a letter released Wednesday evening, Rep. David Obey, D-Wis., and Rep. John D. Dingell, D-Mich., asked CPB Inspector General Kenneth A. Konz to investigate the contracting, hiring and policies of the corporation, which distributes federal funds to public television stations. Both congressmen are ranking Democrats on committees that have oversight of public television.

They called recent actions taken by CPB Chairman Kenneth Tomlinson disturbing'' and extremely troubling.‘’

A CPB spokesman could not be reached for comment. But in a recent interview with the LOS ANGELES TIMES, Tomlinson defended his efforts to expand conservative perspectives on PBS, saying he merely wants to increase the network’s audience.
PBS should not be in the business to providing “equal time”. It should be in the business of providing informative programming.

6

I dont watch a lot of PBS, but I hardly consider Austin City Limits, Battlefield Britain, and the Antiques Roadshow to be particularly left-leaning.

What exactly are the Repubs trying to get put on PBS? If it’s the “Intelligent Design Hour” I’d oppose that too.

7

Does Bill Moyers ring a bell?

8

Last I heard PBS got 15 percent of it’s funding from tax dollars. Last time I watched, there was very little left wing programming. Last time I listened, they had only right wing opinion folks interviewed on news on the radio programs for NPR.

I would listen and watch again if they refused to accept government funding, at this point 15 percent is not that much.

9

You are correct. PBS still receives approximately 15% of its funding from tax $. Here is a link that explains in greater detail their situation.

http://www.neopolitique.org/Np2000/Pages/Essays/Articles/pbs.html

10

You mean that guy that retired? :slight_smile:

11

PBS similarly underrepresents the views of astrologists.

12

Here’s an article on Salon regarding the controversy. Granted, Salon is unabashedly progressive, but it still clearly has journalistic standards, unlike let’s say, worldnetdaily or newsmax.

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2005/05/10/cpb_bias_campaign/index.html

Basically, it says that based on internal polling, there is little evidence of liberal bias there, but the Republicans, since they are in power, feel it is their prerogative to go changing it to suit their purposes.

Given that PBS has been pretty successful for a long time in producing and airing quality programming with great objectivity and little discernable bias, it’s all a little puzzling. I suspect they have a problem with Frontline, but the Repubs have always taken issue with investigative journalism. I’m not sure why, but they have.

I suppose Tomlinson is going to try and make PBS like Fox, which we all know is “Fair and Balanced.” Ha!

13

What exactly are the Repubs trying to get put on PBS? If it’s the “Intelligent Design Hour” I’d oppose that too.
Now that is funny. My point exactly.

14

Last time I watched, there was very little left wing programming.

Ha ha ha ha ha ! ! ! ! ! Give me a break. I like PBS and NPR as much as the next guy, but to claim that it doesn’t lean waaaaaaay over to the left is ridiculous.

Last time I listened, they had only right wing opinion folks interviewed on news on the radio programs for NPR.

Stop it, you’re killing me. I’m gonna bust a gut. Even if that were true, which it most certainly is not, it’s entirely possible to interview right wing opinion folks and still present a leftist worldview. (Case in point, did anybody hear the interview with the founder of the Minute Man project awhile back?)

at this point 15 percent is not that much.

What percentage would be too much? If Fox News got only 15% of it’s funding from the government, would that be cool?

15

I would agree they “should” be but aren’t. I think its admirable of Tomlinson to pull back the curtain and look at whats behind there. Here is another link to an article in Slate (not exactly known as a bunch of Neo-Cons) I think is pretty good.

http://slate.msn.com/id/2117916/

16

The Slate article neglects to mention that the ombudsmen appointed were both Republicans, one of whom is a close friend of Tomlinson’s.

As for PBS, I think most would agree it hasn’t been broke, so why go about fixing it?

17

I would argue those on the “left” do not feel it is broke but those on the “right” think it is and just plain wrong to receive tax $$. I for one would be in favor of pulling their 15%.

18

I don’t have a problem with defunding PBS, as long as its based in the principle that government shouldn’t be in the business of broadcasting.

But then wouldn’t you also have to shut down Armed Services Radio as well? Which if I recall correctly, broadcasts 3+ hours of Rush Limbaugh, with no counterbalance or caveat. Or how about the Voice of America? And any other taxpayer-funded media networks?

The point is if you want to defund, it should be based in nonpartisan principle, not on some sort of arbitrary acid-test.

19

I for one would be in favor of pulling their 15%.

Just out of curiosity, where’s the 15% figure from? This is from their website: “PBS’ operating revenue in fiscal year 2004 was $333 million. Leading sources of revenue included: station assessments (47%); CPB and federal grants (24%); royalties, license fees, satellite services and investment income (14%) and educational product sales (12%).”

20

Vius,

From http://www.cpb.org/pubcast/#who_pays

**Who pays for public broadcasting? **Back to top In FY2002, public broadcasting’s revenue was $2.3 billion.

The biggest single source of revenue - 26 percent - was membership. Subscription contributions to local stations and “Friends of….” groups provide critical support for public broadcasting.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting receives an appropriation from the federal government. By law, 95 percent of this money goes to support local television and radio stations, programming, and improvements to the public broadcasting system as a whole.

Businesses and foundations contribute 22.8 percent of public broadcasting’s revenues. Colleges and universities - both public and private - account for 10.6 percent.

Membership  $593,525,000  26.0%  Business   $376,182,000  16.4%  CPB Appropriation  $350,000,000  15.3%  State Governments  $322,460,000  14.1%  State Colleges  $186,062,000  8.1%  Foundations  $147,130,000  6.4%  Miscellaneous  $125,296,000  5.5%  Federal Grants and Contracts  $59,454,000  2.6%  Local Governments  $58,232,000  2.5%  Private Colleges  $33,404,000  1.5%  Other Public Colleges  $22,993,000  1.0%  Auction  $12,367,000  0.5%  **Total**  $2,287,105,000  **100.0%**