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We Found Someone Unhappy With Romney's Debate
10-3-2012
PBS issued a statement after being mentioned in the presidential debate between Mitt Romney and President Obama. They weren't all that happy with Romney and they have trotted out Big Bird to help get their point across. "Governor Romney does not understand the value the American people place on public broadcasting and the outstanding return on investment the system delivers to our nation. We think it is important to set the record straight and let the facts speak for themselves."
In 2011, the federal government spent about $430 million to support the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which then divided that money between PBS, NPR, and various other stations and programs. Romney said, “I’m going to stop the subsidy to PBS. I like PBS, I love Big Bird. But I’m not going to — I’m not going to keep on spending money on things to borrow money from China to pay for.”
The PBS statement went on to say, "For more than 40 years, Big Bird has embodied the public broadcasting mission – harnessing the power of media for the good of every citizen, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay. Our system serves as a universally accessible resource for education, history, science, arts, and civil discourse."
"Each day, the American public receives an enduring and daily return on investment that is heard, seen, read and experienced in public media broadcasts, apps, podcasts, and online – all for the cost of about $1.35 per person per year. A key thing to remember is that public television and radio stations are locally owned and community focused, and they are experts in working efficiently to make limited resources produce results. In fact, for every dollar of federal funding invested, they raise an additional six dollars on their own – a highly effective public-private partnership."
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(10/5/2012 12:25:24 PM) I'm tired of my tax dollars going to support an organization that takes money out of MY pocket! I sell radio advertising for a news/talk product and why should MY customers be allowed to "buy sponsorships" on NPR and NOT spend them with me? If you want to continue funding...great but ONLY if you eliminate the "underwriting" by advertisers! |
| - Jeff Hy |
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(10/5/2012 12:11:29 PM) If PBS is defunded, you, TV will be under real pressure to provide good Children's TV not commercials with cartoons, The people who watch BBC, NHK, and local on PBS will be looking at your Public Files and filing renewal objections when the see your promise vs. performance.If your PBS station is filling a need that you or your fellow commercial broadcasters aren't then your asking for trouble if a change is made. |
| - steve fuss |
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(10/5/2012 11:38:08 AM) I say let them sell commercials like everyone else. They effectively already are doing that... have you ever seen the truck spots they run adjacent to their home improvement shows? But even so, you can't just eliminate hundreds of millions in funding immediately. Cut it by 10% each year. |
| - mike |
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(10/5/2012 9:28:53 AM) There are two things that are clear in this argument and like a lot of what's coming out of Washington these days, both sides are wrong for different reasons. 1) The call from Republicans to de-fund NPR is for completely partisan reasons. 2) In 2012, there is no need for the Government to subsidize any time of programming. If it is good programming - and NPR has great programming - they should be able to sell it to an audience. |
| - Realist |
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(10/5/2012 9:19:17 AM) The Romney campaign has been warned to prepare for the Million Muppet March! |
| - Charlie Ferguson |
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