Like it or not, since 2005 the government has slowly been pulling the funding-plug on the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It began in January 2005 when Sen. Jim Hargrove revised Bill 5454, outlining the priorities of federal spending. Since then over $100 million dollars has been yanked from CPB and other federally funding programs (such as No Child Left Behind), and directed towards aiding children with disabilities, “higher education, student loans, and research grants to local hospitals are among the areas that would see funding boosts.”
The Bill was passed by the Senate on May 13, 2005 by Gov. Christine Gregoire of Washington State, to revise trial court funding and provisions. This sets into motion the impending noose around CPB. With a majority of its funding coming from the government, the idea of CPB supporting itself on donations alone looks bleak. Especially since all networks and stations are looking to re-vamp to digital technology. New equipment will be brought in to bring popular television shows like “Sesame Street” and “Clifford the Big Red Dog”, into the competitive pool of visual appeal. Dated technology can be seen in the actual picture, and simulated commercials in between programs such as the “alphabet hosting”.
There is hope, however, that the face of CPB will not fall off the television forever. Supporters of CPB range from all backgrounds, some ever in high places. Those with the power to speak out and voice their opinion based on principle will be the ones heard first. Soon, I hope, there will come a day when CPB no longer looms beneath the threatening shadow of Capitol Hill.
For more details,
GOP Takes aim at PBS
2005 Senete Bill 5454
Rachel H said
I remember watching PBS when I was a kid. You always knew it by the logo and the “paid for by viewers like you” thing they said. They had some awesome shows on there. Why would anyone want to get rid of it?
Sarah said
Isn’t PBS the channel that airs Sesame Street? No child should be deprived of such a great tv show.