House Panel Cuts CPB Funding By 25%, Eyes Zero-Fund Future

[Mark E. Smith]

Billboard Monitor

The subcommittee in charge of finding money to help fund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) decided to cut that agency's 2006 budget by 25% - $100 million - from $400 million to $300 million. President Bush had only recommended a slight, $10 million cut in the CPB budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

If those same lawmakers can maintain their vision of CPB's future as the budget package winds through the House and Senate, the CPB will receive no govt funding in future fiscal years.

http://www.billboardradiomonitor.com/radiomonitor/news/business/leg_reg/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000955091

Ein volk, ein president, ein newsmedia.

[Pirate Smile]

1. .

[4_Legs_Good]

2. LOL

:)

Poor Elmo!

david

[justinsb]

3. It may be for the best

Maybe the people, in those places where public broadcasting is supported, will take control of the airwaves again. I used to work for a PBS affiliate and we got 7% of our funding from CPB but that 7% had more strings attached than any of our other funding. Federal and state funding combined came to about 35 cents per person, per year in our viewing area and there were dozens of daily complaints about 'why are my tax dollars paying for this' - most of the time I just wanted to cut them a check for 35 cents but the station manager wouldn't let me. If the government is not going to fund PBS and NPR much, maybe it's better if they don't fund it at all, and then lose all editorial control.

[Toots]

5. Then we have no Public Broadcasting

When it is private they can do what they wish but as a Public broadcasting station they must give neutral coverage. Maybe the time has come though to get government completely out of the broadcasting business.

[kansasblue]

4. I agree it might be best to cut them loose.

Right now they have the worst of both worlds: Right wing control and reduced funding.

Take them to zero, free them up to produce what they like. Let the public fund them and decide what to produce free of corporate and GOP control.

[Rainscents]

6. Maybe Soro can help...