Republicans calling for ending of federal funds for PBS

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.midatlanticlabor.com/appiesnet/wordpress/?p=1511

DECEMBER 2010, Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton edition of The Union News

Republicans calling for ending of federal funds for PBS

BY PAUL TUCKER
[e-mail]

LEHIGH VALLEY, November 14th- The right-leaning Americans for Limited Government (ALG), Fairfax, Virginia, praised the United States House of Representatives Republican leader John Boehner for calling for an end of taxpaying funding of public broadcasting in the wake of National Public Radio (NPR) firing news analyst Juan Williams.

ALG President Bill Wilson announced the move stating, “It is outrageous that taxpayers are forced to fund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s hard left agenda. It is time for Congress to save $400 million a year by cutting off their funding.”

PBS often broadcast programs that members of organized labor are requested to participate with including shows involving union organizing and labor history.

Mr. Boehner, who will become the United States House of Representatives speaker in January after the Republicans take the majority from the Democrats, suggest Congress shouldn’t fund PBS because the network is too “liberal.”

“Washington is borrowing 37 cents of every dollar it spends from our kids and grandkids. Given that, I think it’s reasonable to ask why Congress is spending taxpayers’ money to support a left-wing radio network, and in the wake of Juan Williams’ firing, it’s clearer than ever that’s what NPR is,” stated Mr. Boehner.

FULL story at link.

[marmar]

1. "the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s hard left agenda"

I don't whether to laugh, cry or grab my passport.

[abelenkpe]

8. Me too....

Republicans have no shame.

[rurallib]

2. free up a little extra to give to the top 1%

[Historic NY]

3. WTF, then there is no reason for TV...........37 cents....the 56 cents funds the war machine.

[Tesha]

4. PBS (and NPR) thought they could appease their Republican enemies.

Didn't work out for them either.

Tesha

[liberal N proud]

5. That is because there is an educational value to the network

History channel started out with an educational element and now all you see on it is Pawn Stars, Ice Road Truckers and loggers.

[vi5]

6. Obama is ready for a tough fight on this....

The republicans want to defund NPR and PBS. Democrats don't.

Obama's opening bid in the negotiations will be to offer to defund NPR and PBS and to give their funding to Fox news.

Take that, Republicans!!!

[Starfury]

7. NPR funding details for clueless Republicans...

Ooops, thought this was NPR.... :blush: Guess I'll keep the original post, though, in case anyone's interested.

-------------

From NPR Finances

"NPR's revenue comes primarily from fees paid by our member stations, contributions from corporate sponsors, institutional foundation grants, gifts from major donors, and fees paid by users of The Public Radio Satellite System. We receive no direct federal funding for operations. The largest share of NPR's revenue comes from program fees and station dues paid by member stations that broadcast NPR programs."





Overall, government funding (federal, state, local) accounts for less than 6% of public radio financing.