The recent cancellation of the Stephen Colbert show by CBS demonstrates why the U.S. needs a fully funded NPR. Quite simply, you can't rely on corporations doing the right thing. They will bow whichever way the wind blows, in this case, towards appeasing the current administration, and whatever they want.
NPR was the most unbiased news organization in the U.S., just like the BBC in the UK and CBC in Canada (which is where I go first to get the news).
Is there bias? Of course. Everyone and everything is biased. But publicly funded radio and TV, at least for these examples, are the least biased sources. Not like stations such as FOX, which until recently (and still mostly is) a shill for conservative viewpoints. Or, apparently, now, CBS and the other, still to be revealed, major media corporations. They have to balance their own jobs, stockholders, profit and any number of things well ahead of any sort of ethics.
NPR also provides arts and culture programs that are quite simply not available through commercial stations (radio or TV).
I know I'd rather have a government funded media source that provides reliable news, as well as arts and culture, rather than an overblown military parade. Or any number of other things that waste money for the sake of appearances and give little benefit to the public. As an example, the approximately $1 billion cut in funding is through 2027. The cost of the recent military parade was estimated at $50 million. You don't need too many of events like that to pay for the defunding, or, at least, a good portion of it.
Finally, the NPR cuts will mostly affect rural and community stations, not the national NPR, which doesn't rely on that funding. This is going to devastate local radio even further. It's estimated that 15% of the smaller, local NPR-associated stations will close. Those who support the funding cuts out of one side of their mouth, while promoting local radio on the other side, just don't know what they're talking about.
I never knew NPR had ever received government funding until the recent controversy. Their "Listerner Supported" moto is what always stood out to me, so I never realized they received outside funding.
I like NPR, like their concerts and other presentations. But I'm not sure what to think about them losing government funding, except to say it's probably a significant blow if that's what they actually depend on.
Part of the mission of public radio and TV in Canada (i.e., the CBC) is to ensure that ALL Canadians get some sort of news, as well as arts and culture. There are so many remote areas in Canada still in which the only station(s) they can listen to or watch are the CBC. And there's no way that the small populations there could support a commercial, or even a non commercial station. It takes government funding.
I'm certain that that is part of the mission of NPR as well. There are many rural communities in remote areas in the U.S. that literally can't support a station without help; apparently, some NPR stations in these areas receive up to 50% of their revenue via government funding. Now that will be all gone, and it's doubtful that many of these will survive.
Fortunately for us(Canada) our prime minister has promised increased funding for the CBC and we won't go the way of NPR in the USA.
I agree with Artisan that the CBC, as with NPR, be available to areas where a commercial station, TV and radio, wouldn't have the revenue to operate. Also for home grown Canadian made programs rather than Hollywood programs operating an all parts of the country.
NPR feels like a fixture on the wall, it's always been there, no matter what state or era, their distinctive programming has been available for as long as I can remember and it would feel rather odd if it were to suddenly disappear, and I certainly would hate if that ever occured.. but I ALWAYS had presumed it was fully listener supported along with some public grants... I never guessed it had been government funded (but then again, I guessI was just ignorant, it wasnt until the last couple years I realized just how many of the general public draws absolutely free cash every month from the government -- I thought you had to really be in dire straights to receive free money for not working! -Never once had I ever received any form o government funding -not even drawing of unemployment - but in the last two years I've become awed over what I get over my social security.. like SSI and food stamps.. amounting to several hundred more a month.. Just because I quit working? You got to be kidding me I thought! It's so damn easy.. and it doesnt seem real.. like a fantasy or something.
But I guess I've completely drifted topic..
Just read a hilarious defense of the defunding of NPR over at the premier (at least to them) Part 15 site.
The FCC boss stated, as I did previously, that there are many NPR stations in remote areas that other stations don't serve.
The site then blamed the FCC for that.
Really? It's the government's fault that corporate stations, won't service a region in which they will not turn a profit, and/or lose money?
Ever notice that those who are the most anti-government in good times are those who want the government to step in and fix things otherwise?
In the case of NPR, they did, by funding PUBLIC radio. For everybody.
Because, as I noted at the beginning of this thread, you can't trust those in the private sector to do anything other than look after their own interests.
I see that some of the money (to the tune of $200 million dollars worth, and that's an initial estimate) saved from slashing NPR (and Medicare) funding is going to be going towards building a new ballroom in the White House.
Nice to see the spending cutbacks. At least it wasn't a military parade. Oh, wait...
This thread is entirely political.
What I am not reading much here is, gee, stuff was cut, looks like it will affect our hobby in a tough way. Is this going to be a new thing going forward?
Btw, I am a monarchist. Don't think much of liberal democracy. Should I go on?
@centinel You have a point in that this thread is political and it doesn't extend to how it affects our hobby but it is about radio in general and how a political decision will affect radio, which is in the scope of the forum as there is general radio discussion, and an everything else section.
Tariffs is a political topic but Artisan and I have posted how it directly does affect our hobby and that the Schlockwood processor is off the market because of it. A direct blow to our hobby.
Artisan is admin and I'm sure he has seen your concern here. No this is not going to turn into a political forum.
Philanthropic organizations commit $37M to keep public media stations afloat
https://thehill.com/media/5459935-philanthropic-organizations-commit-37m-to-keep-public-media-stations-afloat/amp /
A group of seven philanthropic organizations on Tuesday announced a $37 million commitment to fuel local public media amid the federal funding repeals for PBS and NPR, which has created financial challenges for smaller stations across the country under their network umbrella. ...“This is an urgent moment that calls for bold action. We are proud to stand with our fellow foundations and urge others to join us in securing the future of public media.”
Probably the way it should have been all along.