June 24, 2005 [LINK]
I'm a big fan of public television and think it is one of the worthiest causes that are supported largely on a voluntary basis. Last week, the House of Representatives passed a budget resolution that would sharply cut Federal funding for public broadcasting, sparking outrage in some quarters. Meanwhile, Patricia S. Harrison, the assistant secretary of state for educational and cultural affairs, regarded as a conservative, has just been named to head the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, sharpening the political profile of this issue. Being a sucker an earnest, public-spirited kind of guy, I jump at every chance to build bridges over the chasm between the parties. Although conservatives such as George Will argue that in an age where cable TV offers a smorgasbord of choices that obviates the traditional rationale for public television, the fact is that most lower-income folks don't have access to non-broadcast cable content such as the History Channel, the Discovery Channel, or Animal Planet. How many of those people tune in to PBS compared to the number who watch Jerry Springer or Judge Judy? I shudder to think. If you ask me, however, reaching out to even a small minority (ten percent?) of potentially "upliftable" humble folks is worth a couple bucks a year per taxpayer. Culture is a public good, and I don't worry about the (slight) liberal bias on PBS as exemplified by Bill Moyers. Lest there be any doubt, however, yesterday's Washington Post made it clear that the strongest supporters of public broadcasting are in fact liberal groups. So what?
The issue of subsidies to public TV and radio draws an ironic parallel to the blogosphere, including this Web site (HINT)! It makes me think of an episode of The Simpsons when the family went to a museum that was free but donations were requested. Upon realizing that he'd hit upon an easy freebee, Homer started yelling to newly arriving patrons, "Hey, you don't have to pay!"
UPDATE: Responding to public outcry, the House voted to rescind the proposed cuts in funding yesterday. (I should have read the morning paper before I made the above post.) According to the Washington Post, several senators are calling on CPB chairman Kenneth Tomlinson (a Republican!) to resign because he is scrutinizing the political leanings of PBS shows. As far as the liberal bias issue, one piece of evidence to the contrary is the Frontline series, which has braodcast a number of shows that portray the U.S.-led war against terrorism in very favorable light. Frontline embodies first-rate, independent journalism.