Reasons to pull the plug on public broadcasting
By Michael M. Bates (07/12/05)
Congress is once again debating the budget for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which partially funds the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and National Public Radio (NPR). Public broadcasting doesn’t require fine-tuning. Like most other remnants of the Great Society, it needs to be killed.
Much of the discussion centers on the question of public broadcasting’s bias. That question was settled long ago. PBS’ and NPR’s programming has had an obvious leftist tilt since their inception.
In 1969, PBS carried a documentary on the ongoing struggle in Vietnam. The program was produced in - surprise, surprise - Communist North Vietnam.
A dozen years ago, a Los Angeles PBS station ran the "Afrikan Mental Liberation Weekend." Viewers learned: Jewish doctors intentionally inoculate black babies with the AIDS virus. Jews were responsible for the African slave trade. Whites deliberately imported homosexuality into Africa. In a peculiar coalition based on hate, Jews and the Mafia have joined together to destroy blacks.
Last year, one of PBS’ children’s series included a program with a lesbian couple. And we can’t forget one of PBS’ better known offerings, "NOW," which was hosted by seasoned LBJ bootlicker Bill Moyers. The president of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting wrote:
"To me and many other supporters of public broadcasting the image of the left-wing bias of "NOW" - unchallenged by a balancing point of view on public broadcasting’s Friday evening lineup - was unhealthy. Indeed, it jeopardized essential support for public TV."
Terri Schiavo’s predicament supplied a recent example of NPR’s perspective. Slate columnist Mickey Kaus noted an NPR story on the matter "transcended mere bias, covering the case as if the anti-death side didn't even exist, so there was no need to even try to find out what they were thinking."
It’s not a coincidence that whenever public broadcasting funding is on the table, the usual leftist pressure groups are heard from. Examples of PBS and NPR’s leftist tilt abound and are sufficient cause to pull taxpayer subsidies. Even if the programming slanted to the right, however, public broadcasting should be ended.
There are many programs on television that are unabashedly liberal. Some even have lesbian characters. Little is said about them most of the time because the private sector pays for them.
It’s usually when public dollars are involved that heated arguments ensue. If people are taxed to finance something, their claim on how those resources are used is much stronger.
For years, backers have claimed that only public broadcasting offers a wide range of programs targeted to many different audiences. In a 150-channel universe, that contention doesn’t hold water.
It’s particularly dubious when you consider the typical public broadcasting consumer. Their own analyses disclose that PBS viewers and NPR listeners tend to be more successful in employment, wealthier and better educated than the general public.
These people can afford cable TV and satellite radio if they need more options. What we’re currently doing is subsidizing their leisure activities with funds from less affluent citizens.
But the subsidy per taxpayer is very low, argue supporters. One reason for that is PBS, NPR and individual shows have often managed to secure grants and commercial partnerships. Given those successes and the alleged popularity of its offerings, it shouldn’t be that difficult for stations to wean themselves from government funding.
Foundations, businesses and private contributors could make up the difference. Voluntarily.
Where in the Constitution is the federal government charged with providing entertainment? But PBS and NPR aren’t just entertainment, they’re educational, counter aficionados.
OK, so where in the Constitution is the federal government charged with providing education? It’s not, and citing other examples of unconstitutional spending in that area doesn’t change the relevant fact.
Reading this newspaper is educational. That doesn’t mean taxpayers should be forced to subsidize it.
Many congressional supporters of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting are the same folks who complain about mounting deficits. If they’re genuinely concerned, they should have little problem terminating unfair, unnecessary and unconstitutional public broadcasting.
Somehow, Big Bird will survive. If enough people really want him to.
This appears in the July 14, 2005 Oak Lawn (IL) Reporter. Mike Bates is the author of Right Angles and Other Obstinate Truths.)
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