Journalism, Democracy, and Public Radio
This is not the type of thing that I generally post to the blog, but in this case, public awareness on this topic is crucial. For those of you in the Austin, Texas, area that are fans of the local NPR station -- KUT 90.5 -- listen up!
Via the KUT web site.
On June 9, the House Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees the budget for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) a private organization created by Congress to support and fund public broadcasting voted to eliminate $100 million from the previously-approved fiscal year 2006 CPB budget. In addition to setting public broadcasting on a two-year course to zero funding, the subcommittee also eliminated previously approved funds for the necessary renewal of public television’s satellite interconnection system and public television’s Ready-To-Learn program which supports educational, commercial-free children’s programming. Taken together and if unchanged, these actions will mean a reduction of some 46 percent in funds for public broadcasting beginning in about four months.
While public television is the largest recipient of support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the CPB also provides a substantial amount to local public radio stations. This year, the CPB will distribute about $85 million to public radio stations from Alaska to Puerto Rico, including KUT Radio.
CPB contributions account for about nine percent of KUT Radio’s operating budget. We decide how to use these CPB funds to advance our programming and services, within the CPB’s requirement that one-fourth of its dollars must be used to acquire or produce national programs of our choosing. KUT Radio meets that requirement through its production of Latino USA, the first -- and today only -- national, English-language radio program produced from a Latino perspective that is broadcast on nearly 170 stations nationwide. The rest of the CPB funds are used for various operational expenses, which allows KUT Radio to focus its own fundraising efforts to ensure the quality of its programming.
In our participatory democracy we urge you to share your views about continued funding for public broadcasting, including local stations like KUT Radio. Whatever your belief, sharing it with your Congressional Representative and U.S. Senators will have an impact. Phone calls are most effective.
List of Congressional Districts
Texas U.S. Senators
Kay Bailey Hutchinson 202-224-5922
John Cornyn 202-224-2934
Central Texas Congressional Representatives
Michael McCaul (TX-10) 202-225-2401
Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) 202-225-2531
Lamar Smith (TX-21) 202-225-4236
Lloyd Doggett (TX-25) 202-225-4865
John Carter (TX-31) 202-225-3864
posted by Fergie @ 6/15/2005 12:15:00 PM
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