Lounge of Tomorrow - Help save NPR and PBS

Here's some very thorough information from my favorite public radio station, KCRW.

Quote:

Federal Funding Cuts to Public Broadcasting

Message from KCRW General Manager Ruth Seymour

Dear KCRW Listener,

I am writing you about an unfolding crisis in Congress with regard to public broadcasting. Proposed funding cuts now before the full House pose a serious threat to public radio and television -- and to KCRW.

The proposed cut is 25% to KCRW's CPB grant this October and next October as well. Moreover, adding the proposed additional cuts to PBS childrens' programs and station digital conversion -- the total reduction adds up to a whopping 45%!

Facility funding, which provided opportunities for stations to modernize and extend their service has already been zeroed out. These are the grants that helped KCRW purchase its first modern transmitter in 1979 and launch NPR's Morning Edition. Later they enabled KCRW to extend service to Ventura and the Antelope Valley.

If these cuts stand, KCRW may lose over $1,000,000 from its operating revenue. This would severely impact KCRW's local programming and our ability to sustain NPR.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is the independent organization created by Congress to support public broadcasting and act as a heat shield against political interference. But now, ironically, the Corporation itself is providing the heat.

Chairman Ken Tomlinson has politicized matters by framing the issue of balance on news programs as liberal versus conservative. We vehemently object to this characterization which is intended to put public broadcasting on the defensive and influence program decisions.

We cherish our editorial independence and the political diversity of the audience we have attracted.
We believe in objective journalism, free from political constraints.
While we welcome constructive criticism, we reject partisan judgements masquerading as impartial analysis.

We can't reverse the funding cuts by ourselves. We need your help.

THE MOST IMPORTANT VOICE IN PUBLIC BROADCASTING IS YOURS!

Please register your opinion by contacting your Congressional Representative right away.

The full House votes next Thursday or Friday.

Find your Congressional Representative at:
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/officials/

Sincerely,
Ruth Seymour

Further Reading:

LA Times, June 17, 2005:
Public Broadcasting Funds May Be Halved

Washington Post, June 10, 2005:
Public Broadcasting Targeted By House Panel Seeks to End CPB's Funding Within 2 Years An article about the political situation involving the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and funding:
New York Times, June 16, 2005:
2005 Lobbyists' Role for Public TV Is Investigated

Federal Funding Cuts to Public Broadcasting
Frequently Asked Questions

» What happened??
» What is the timetable?
» How can you help?
» Background
» How much funding does KCRW currently receive from the federal government?
» What is CPB’s role in public radio?
» What would be the impact on public radio stations as a whole?
» What is the impact of the CPB budget cut beyond my public radio station?

What happened?

On Thursday evening (6/16/05) the House Appropriations Commity, in a voice vote, approved an amendment to restore forward funding to Public Broadcasting. Although it did not reverse the dollars cut for the next two years, it did restore the vital principle of forward funding which allows stations to plan and provides a heat shield from political pressure.

This surprise victory was due to listeners and viewers who called, emailed and wrote their representatives.This Thursday or Friday the full House will vote on the dollars for public radio and television. This will be your last opportunity to help us turn the funding cuts around in Congress.

What is the timetable?

The full House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the CPB budget Thursday, June 22 or Friday, June 23.

Senate deliberations are scheduled to begin the week of June 20th, and will continue for the next few weeks.

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How can you help?

The most important voice in public broadcasting is yours. It’s urgent that your Congressional representative hear from you in the next few days.

Call, e-mail or write:

US House of Representatives

Please find your legislator by district at: http://www.house.gov .
There you’ll also find the telephone number.

US Senate

http://www.senate.gov

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