A voice of reason. From: swprograms-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:swprograms-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Joe Buch Sent: Sunday, February 13, 2011 11:29 To: Shortwave programming discussion; Internet radio discussion Cc: Internet radio discussion Subject: Re: [Swprograms] [Internetradio] [dxld] Defunding public broadcasting As one who has worked as a volunteer for over 10 years at NPR-afiliated stations in Maryland and Florida, I have been able to see first hand how important the Federal $$$ are to capital improvements. But the Federal $$$s make up only about 15% of the operating budgets of the stations I have been associated with. It will not be the end of the world if the legislation passes. It might even be beneficial to have public broadcasting stop sucking on the federal teet. The government can use their puppet-master power to put pressure on NPR to conform to the party line. When the network deviates off the track, the threat of federal fund withdrawal causes the network to do a mid-course correction. Pacifica does a good, albeit biased, job of public broadcasting with no federal support. Their financial supporters contribute to their operations because they believe the message is worthy of their support. Many folks refuse to contribute to their NPR-affiliated station because they claim that their tax dollars already pay for public radio and they do not feel obligated to pay twice. It is a reasonable argument that will be blunted if this legislation passes. So it might even be beneficial to the long-term health of public broadcasting to make the system more efficient and responsive to the public by cutting out government funding. Joe Buch
--- On Sun, 2/13/11, Richard Cuff <rdcuff@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: From: Richard Cuff <rdcuff@xxxxxxxxx> Subject: Re: [Internetradio] [Swprograms] [dxld] Defunding public broadcasting To: "Shortwave programming discussion" <swprograms@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Cc: "Internet radio discussion" <internetradio@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Date: Sunday, February 13, 2011, 2:44 AM
Many public stations have edited their websites to mention this.
There have been threats before, I believe Newt Gingrich led the last unsuccessful defunding attempt in the second half of President Clinton's first term.
Speaking as a fan of Public Radio (and a longtime member of WHYY in Philadelphia) I am also hopeful this effort will see a similar fate, since, given the variety of the USA's public radio segment now broadly enjoyable via the Internet, Public Radio remains an important component of my own listening. I have already contacted my congressman's office.
I would also suggest personalizing any message or communication, stating how important the public radio station in *your* district is. Positioning your member of Congress as an enemy of station XXXX, I believe, helps to bring the threat to a very visible local level.
Richard C
On Sat, Feb 12, 2011 at 11:42 PM, Glenn Hauser <wghauser@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: > More about this from the manager of KGOU: > > http://kgou.org/index.php?manager-rsquo-s-desk > > --- On Sat, 2/12/11, Glenn Hauser <wghauser@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: > >> IMPORTANT LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: >> >> IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS, the House of Representatives will >> take action on a bill that provides continued funding for >> government operations. Under this measure, large funding >> cuts have been proposed, **including the likely elimination >> of federal funding for public broadcasting**. >> >> This is on an extremely fast timeline and it's critical >> that your representative hear from you. The House >> switchboard is (202) 224-3121 or (202) 225-3121 and it is >> operational 24/7, so truly, you can call ANYTIME and it >> won't take but a minute of your time!! Additional >> information is available at http://www.170millionamericans.org >> >> We appreciate your continuing interest in and support of >> WUOT Public Radio (WUOT mailing list Feb 12 via DXLD) > > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > Need Mail bonding? > Go to the Yahoo! Mail Q&A for great tips from Yahoo! Answers users. > http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396546091 > _______________________________________________ > Swprograms mailing list > Swprograms@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx > http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/swprograms > > To unsubscribe: Send an E-mail to swprograms-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe, or visit the URL shown above. > >
-- Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA
International broadcasting / shortwave blog: http://www.intlradio.blogspot.com
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