<p>As far as I know, NPR does not have advertising, but the local “public” radio station here certainly does. Every weather report and traffic report and some other segments are “brought to you by” various for-profit concerns who are mentioned by both name and a short tag line. Not a lot different than commercials, just shorter and not as loud. Unfortunately they don’t (yet) come with jingles, which makes them unentertaining.</p>
<p>Overseas, Tomlinson is indeed the head of the board right now (an excellent article about some of the issues can be found at <a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/22/national/22broadcast.html)%5B/url%5D”>http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/22/national/22broadcast.html)</a>. However, the bigger issue is his continuing attempt to promote Patricia Harrison, who is the ex-chairwomen of the Republican National Committee. </p>
<p>Personally, I don’t see the need to create a privately funded version of PBS. PBS should exist as it is intended too, a non-partisan informational broadcasting service. Presenting a balanced programing schedule provides something this country sorely needs, moderation.</p>
<p>
You realize, of course, the the “Meow Mix” jingle has been used to torture jihadists down in Gitmo?</p>
<p>Well, I listen to NPR and think of it as right-of-center media propaganda. If you listen to the BBC, or media from India, or France, or Germany, or Latin America, the rightwing bias becomes clear almost instantaneously.</p>
<p>Usually not as entertaining as Fox Gnus.</p>
<p>
:):):)rofl</p>
<p>I take that to mean that your listening habits are imited by your geography.</p>
<p>Well India is a bit out of my listening area, but I regularly listen to BBC and read/listen/watch French media sources. Latin America–only when I’m in the Caribbean. You want to argue that these media outlets demonstrate the right wingnut character of NPR? OK :)</p>
<p>In many areas our our country PBS has offerred access to culture, nature, and science programing that is otherwise not affordable or available. I think Bill Moyers, who is frequently the subject of attacks from the right, retired.</p>
<p>I know there are people who look to FOX for their news, but I enjoy the nightly and weekly news programs on PBS. Tony Blankly is a hoot, where does he get those ideas from? The reality is that I do get to hear his perspective and Pat Buchanan’s on PBS.</p>
<p>We know the Christian Right has a lethal grip on the Republican party, will this translate into a censorship of science and history programs?</p>
<p>After the billions of dollars are spent educating people in public schools, it is sensible and correct for us to offer them continued education with PBS. NPR still offers news programing that is worth listening to, if it goes then the choices will be too limited.</p>
<p>One of the things that all facist leaders have in common is a control of the media, it is important that PBS be kept free of White House control, no matter who is in the White House.</p>
<p>Moyers did retire and here is the story and his last address:
<a href=“http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/05/16/1329245[/url]”>http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/05/16/1329245</a></p>
<p>It’s a shame - he was one of the few journalists who attempted to get at the truth. It’s convenient to characterize every journalist as biased when they expose the truth- the right wing noise machine is humming - dismantling little by little the trust in institutions that hold government accountable.</p>
<p>I live in Europe and listen to NPR and BBC. My political biases are fed by both but each has just enough other voices to make me feel about as balanced as I want to be–with occasional excursions on CNN or Fox. As to quality of programming, content , research and host-personalities-- as far as I’m concerned, NPR can’t be beat–we don’t need no thought control!</p>
<p>“Well India is a bit out of my listening area, but I regularly listen to BBC and read/listen/watch French media sources. Latin America–only when I’m in the Caribbean. You want to argue that these media outlets demonstrate the right wingnut character of NPR? OK”</p>
<p>Yup. Start with coverage of Lula in Brazil, the employment and land reforms in Venezuela, the coverage of the multinational shrimping industry in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Thailand, the impacts of WTO on subsistence agriculture, and the impact of western medical practice imports on HIV rates in Africa, or the foreign aid the U.S. receives on regular basis from the importation of foreign medical personnel.</p>
<p>That’s just the last 48 hours.</p>
<p>Sorry, Mini, where I live PBS broadcasts the BBC World Service several times a night. And NPR is loaded with BBC reporters. </p>
<p>I get where you’re coming from, but I’m not sure driving the whole U.S. into the arms of Fox and CNN is the answer…</p>
<p>From the AP:</p>
<p>"The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, whose chairman is under fire for complaining about what he considered liberal bias at PBS, chose a former Republican Party co-chairman Thursday as its president and chief executive.</p>
<p>“Patricia S. Harrison, the assistant secretary of state for educational and cultural affairs, was selected after three days of closed meetings by the corporation’s board of directors. She was co-chair of the Republican National Committee from 1997 to 2001.”</p>
<p>This discussion illustrates the dangers of the
increasingly deep divide between classes in this
country. People with means – to buy cable
reception, to travel and become aware of the
world and culture firsthand – can choose
their media. Those without cannot.The former
don’t seem to comprehend the needs of the
latter. PBS & NPR serve a purpose not unlike that
provided by public libraries and public schools.
Aside from news and commentary, they offer a view
into the worlds of art, drama, music, travel, science,
health, language,even sports. They level the playing
field in this democracy and offer the opportunity
for knowledge and betterment to everyone.
Isn’t that what we in this countrypride ourselves on?
Fairness and opportunity?</p>
<p>Good point Alia!</p>
<p>I think I saw Alia on the last PBS beg-a-thon. :)</p>
<p>
Most of us feel that way.</p>