The Fight Over Public Broadcasting Heats Up

It's gone to the Senate now, where Senators Jim DeMint (R-SC) and Tom Coburn (R-OK) have introduced a bill to not only defund, but END taxpayer support for the Corporation For Public Broadcasting.

This is the first of many probable shots that will be taken, not just at National Public Radio, or Public TV, but the CPB which is the overall organization.  Supporters of the bill say over the last ten years, the CPB has received over 4 billion in taxpayer money, including 430 million for 2011.  DeMint says with a 14 trillion dollar national debt, subsidies for Public Broadcasting should be an easy cut.  Now the CPB does NOT receive all it's funding from the Feds--a significant portion comes from fundraising efforts, and from companies who choose to support with grants.  Those who oppose cutting government funds for the CPB claim it will cripple public broadcasting.  However, National Public Radio says only 2% of it's funding comes from the Feds, while PBS, the TV arm, gets about 15%.    Those figures are used by supporters of the bill saying if such small amounts come from the Feds, it should be easy for Public Television to find the revenue elsewhere.