Government should not be in the news broadcasting business … period

I enjoy a lot of the programming on PBS. My children grew up with “Sesame Street” and “Mr. Rogers.”  There are several shows I follow, including “Murdock Mysteries”, “Hercule Poirot”, and an occasional “Nova.” I was a fan of several of the British comedies.  I especially enjoyed “Fawlty Towers” and “Yes Minister” – but, alas, they are no more.  PBS puts on a lot of great shows.  No doubt about it.

I appeared fairly often on the Chicago PBS affiliate public affairs programs and talk shows.  In those days, public broadcasting was more balanced. Not so much today.  Public broadcasting and radio have joined the commercial networks in becoming more ideological.

In many ways, I see PBS and NPR in the same vein as the state-controlled Russia 1 and China Central Television (CCTV).  American public broadcasting operates essentially as part of the bureaucracy — and since the bureaucracy is naturally a progressive institution, PBS and NPR spin the news accordingly.

The bias at public broadcasting is obvious in terms of personnel.  One survey showed that 87 percent of the editorial staff of NPR are registered Democrats and there are no – as in zero — registered Republicans.

Taking public broadcasting off the government dole is not new with me.  Despite my mixed feelings over programming, I have long held the belief that PBS and NPR should not be underwritten by the government to any degree.  I opposed public funding of television and radio on principle from its onset in 1969 for PBS and 1970 for NPR. 

PBS and NPR are not huge burdens on taxpayers.  The Corporation for Public Broadcasting gets about $550 million dollars a year – most of which is spent in support of approximately 1500 local affiliates.  In these times of excessive federal government spending, huge deficits and a growing National Debt, even small cuts are beneficial.

As it is, Uncle Sam contributes only 15 percent of the public broadcasting budget. Individual donors make up 40 percent.  Corporate sponsorship and underwriting (soft institutional advertising – although we are supposed to call it that) make up 25 percent of the budget.  The remaining 20 percent comes from universities, foundations and miscellaneous revenue streams.

While the folks at public broadcasting would have to cut some costs and/or up their marketing game, the loss of 15 percent of the income is not a death blow.  I doubt if viewers would see much difference in programming – especially on the entertainment side.  Without government restrictions, PBS and NPR could openly solicit advertising.

The debate over public broadcasting funding is not about eliminating valuable or enjoyable content.  It is about ensuring fairness in the media, fiscal responsibility and at least some measure of ideological balance.  That is one budget item that should be easy to axe.  Those who pay the piper pick the tunes – and public broadcasting is one piper Uncle Sam need not pay.

So, there ‘tis.