Cuts to Public Broadcasting Slated to End Media Near You

Soon turning on our local public broadcast channel, KEET TV, may result in nothing but electronic snow.  Its ability to inspire, empower, and connect may fade away  to electronic snow. House Republicans just voted to do away with government funding for The Corporation for Public Broadcasting which sponsors, among other vital programming, Sesame Street, PBS, NPR and, of course,  KEET TV.

The local channel receives nearly half its funding from this source. If the Senate approves the bill, then that “would close our doors,” says KEET’s Executive Director, Ron Schoenherr.  To many of the rural areas of this country, Public Broadcasting provides much of their news and all of their children’s educational programming.

Inspired to empower KEET to keep on connecting you with vital information?  Then  follow this link. Want to read more about how rural residents are disproportionately affected? Then follow this link.

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19 Comments
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Tom Sebourn
Guest
13 years ago

Republicans don’t feel that they have enough control over the programming. It doesn’t originate from their corporate cronies so they fear it, and they kill what they fear.

Maybe this will be what it takes to get people out in the streets. My guess is however, that they will simply change the channel to one that is on.

Sometimes I think that Americans don’t care what happens to their country. They don’t want to get political.
They will tell you that both parties are just about the same so why get involved? I’ll tell you why. One party is waging a war on workers and unions and one isn’t. One party is anti environment and one isn’t. One party wants’ to eliminate Social Security and another created it. One party wants to move the country to clean energy the other one doesn’t. One party wants to do away with regulations and consumer protections and one doesn’t. Until recently, one party tried to raise revenue through lower taxes on corporations and the rich. The other party has actually raised revenues to run the country.

And yes, one party wants to do away with the corporation for public broadcasting and the other one doesn’t.

Staff
Member
13 years ago

I know what you mean. Whenever I get depressed about what Obama and the Democrats haven’t done, all I have to do is think “Don’t ask, Don’t tell “would never have been repealed by the Republicans. I may not like the Democrats’ pace but at least there is some change in the right direction.

Staff
Member
13 years ago

I know what you mean. Whenever I get depressed about what Obama and the Democrats haven’t done, all I have to do is think “Don’t ask, Don’t tell “would never have been repealed by the Republicans. I may not like the Democrats’ pace but at least there is some change in the right direction.

skippy
Guest
skippy
13 years ago

This is the first I’ve heard of this and it’s important. I called Mr. Thompson, Ms. Boxer and Ms. Feinstein after reading your column this morning, Kym. I’m told Mr. Thompson voted against this bill in the House.

Tom, I appreciated your well-summarized review here– and the similarly revealing news you recently noted on your site, too.

Thank you both for reporting these many issues keeping us informed with the news. If public media goes down, both of you will have some important roles to play and shoes to fill for our future.

skippy
Guest
skippy
13 years ago

This is the first I’ve heard of this and it’s important. I called Mr. Thompson, Ms. Boxer and Ms. Feinstein after reading your column this morning, Kym. I’m told Mr. Thompson voted against this bill in the House.

Tom, I appreciated your well-summarized review here– and the similarly revealing news you recently noted on your site, too.

Thank you both for reporting these many issues keeping us informed with the news. If public media goes down, both of you will have some important roles to play and shoes to fill for our future.

skippy
Guest
skippy
13 years ago

Mr. Sebourn’s site and news is more easily found here. And be sure to return back to Kym’s site after you’ve finished.

Staff
Member
13 years ago
Reply to  skippy

Perhaps it would be most accurate to say (although unwieldy) that he debunks protesters’ worries about the Richardson Grove project. Because there is no way the Grove is facilitating the removal of nuclear waste since the project won’t likely begin until after the waste is already moved.

The movement of the waste itself, of course, could still be a cause of concern.

Harry
Guest
Harry
13 years ago
Reply to  Staff

Concern based on facts is a good thing. Loss of public broadcasting will do nothing for promotion of public discourse and addressing the need for fact based concerns; or at least being able to share our personal opinions. Loss of public broadcasting should concern us all, I think?

Staff
Member
13 years ago
Reply to  Harry

This worries me. I hope they won’t be able to take it to the next level!

Staff
Member
13 years ago
Reply to  Staff

Yikes, This went to the wrong post! Sigh…Sorry.

Skippy, thanks for pointing folks to Tom’s excellent blog.

skippy
Guest
skippy
13 years ago

Mr. Sebourn’s site and news is more easily found here. And be sure to return back to Kym’s site after you’ve finished.

Staff
Member
13 years ago
Reply to  skippy

Perhaps it would be most accurate to say (although unwieldy) that he debunks protesters’ worries about the Richardson Grove project. Because there is no way the Grove is facilitating the removal of nuclear waste since the project won’t likely begin until after the waste is already moved.

The movement of the waste itself, of course, could still be a cause of concern.

Harry
Guest
Harry
13 years ago
Reply to  Staff

Concern based on facts is a good thing. Loss of public broadcasting will do nothing for promotion of public discourse and addressing the need for fact based concerns; or at least being able to share our personal opinions. Loss of public broadcasting should concern us all, I think?

Staff
Member
13 years ago
Reply to  Harry

This worries me. I hope they won’t be able to take it to the next level!

Staff
Member
13 years ago
Reply to  Staff

Yikes, This went to the wrong post! Sigh…Sorry.

Skippy, thanks for pointing folks to Tom’s excellent blog.

Harry
Guest
Harry
13 years ago

Cuts to health services is another concern of mine, that the Republicans don’t seem to share. Our rural clinics and Planned Parenthood, their loss of funding is a loss for us all. Socially responsible spending is a social responsibility. I may not be “into” the current two party system in America; but on social issues I know what party best represents me “these days”.

Staff
Member
13 years ago
Reply to  Harry

The current threatened government shutdown doesn’t bode well for the poor.

Harry
Guest
Harry
13 years ago

Cuts to health services is another concern of mine, that the Republicans don’t seem to share. Our rural clinics and Planned Parenthood, their loss of funding is a loss for us all. Socially responsible spending is a social responsibility. I may not be “into” the current two party system in America; but on social issues I know what party best represents me “these days”.

Staff
Member
13 years ago
Reply to  Harry

The current threatened government shutdown doesn’t bode well for the poor.