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Govt will need to help shape U.S. media: Waxman

Do people not see the utter danger implicit in the above suggestions?

the government has been running the media in this country for some time.

the only difference is that now the media is broke and the government will also fund it with out tax money.

your article merely proves that the media is ALREADY run by government - otherwise the government wouldn't be intent on bailing it out.

government, public schools, media, banks and corporations are all one and the same thing. i collectively refer to them as the power structure. banks and corporations are the financial arm, schools and media are the unofficial propaganda arm and government is the official public relations department.

and taxpayer is a corpse upon which these vultures feed.
 
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NPR has been assisted by the government but the amount has really shrunk. (I'll include the details on their current structure below). In the early 80's NPR went strongly in debt and they came close to going out of operation. They had to borrow money from the government BUT paid it all back and they restructured their financial setup at that time to charge individual stations subscription fees. They also changed many of their programs they produced and kept only the more popular ones. In the last few years, Congress has threatened a couple of time to slash the small amount of funding still being received but its always been beat back by both Conservatives and Liberals because most people appreciate the quality of their programs.

They are very rarely listed in ratings because they don't subscribe to it, but I know as of about ten years ago, the Chicago station WBEZ was among the top 10-13 stations being listened to in the Chicago market.

I'll been listening since 1977 which started with All Things Considered. It hasn't always for smooth. You got to appreciate a network that works hard to bring in serious people from both sides to discuss issues.





Here's your original post in all of its ignorance:

Thanks for confirming what I'd already posted, but it wasn't really necessary.

Both sides???.... thanks for the laugh.
 
Does it, in the end matter? If it's content or delivery, either way these companies either have to adapt or they go under. Propping them up via the government is not the solution.

Look at the conversation. It matters because we were talking about the failure of one newspaper to crack the web vs. another's success. It's about how newspapers can make it on the web. We had moved beyond the question in the OP about propping up papers.
 
My post did not refer to you personally.

But feel free to imply insults all you wish.

Not to worry. I don't know you personally. All I've got is your posts that suggests your level of knowledge about a subject. Being ignorant about a particuliar subject area is not saying that you are ignorant. NOBODY knows it all. :cool:
 
Not to worry. I don't know you personally. All I've got is your posts that suggests your level of knowledge about a subject. Being ignorant about a particuliar subject area is not saying that you are ignorant. NOBODY knows it all. :cool:

I would be careful throwing around the word "ignorant" when you are the one claiming that NPR doesn't get a significant amount of their money from taxpayers.
 
Look at the conversation. It matters because we were talking about the failure of one newspaper to crack the web vs. another's success. It's about how newspapers can make it on the web. We had moved beyond the question in the OP about propping up papers.

Then aren't we off topic? If so we need to get back on topic or go to a new thread. :lol:
 
I would be careful throwing around the word "ignorant" when you are the one claiming that NPR doesn't get a significant amount of their money from taxpayers.


Either prove what you mean by that (saying "taxpayers" is rather strange--almost every business is funded by "taxpayers"--if you're saying government funds, prove it!) or admit that you don't know what you are talking about and are just following some idiot's talking points. NPR has had to make cuts starting back in the 80's and totallly changed their business structure so that most of their contributions come from member stations, donations and business sponsorships.

About NPR: Financials

If you knew this history, you would also understand how public radio stations changed from all this. In some ways, its a good thing, others so-so. They dropped programs in the 80's (bad) and some poorer stations couldn't afford the programming. However, they also started cooperating (good) so that they did not have so much duplication of programs. A good example would be here in Louisville where there are three stations. They became the Public Radio Partnership in which one station carries NPR news, one AA music (and a little jazz) and one does classical music. Before that occurred, the stations duplicated some of the shows. However, after the change in the 80's, that was extremely inefficient and expensive for each individual station, not to mention a seperate management. So this idea that NPR and member stations have a blank check is just more BS.

There is no better news radio network in the US. If there is, tell me what it is! (What? the EIB??--now there's a laugh)
 
Either prove what you mean by that (saying "taxpayers" is rather strange--almost every business is funded by "taxpayers"
Almost every business is funded by taxpayers???? Are you serious?? Mine isn't and I don't know anyone else who's business if funded by taxpayers.

That is a VERY bizarre statement.


--if you're saying government funds, prove it!) or admit that you don't know what you are talking about and are just following some idiot's talking points. NPR has had to make cuts starting back in the 80's and totallly changed their business structure so that most of their contributions come from member stations, donations and business sponsorships.

About NPR: Financials

If you knew this history, you would also understand how public radio stations changed from all this. In some ways, its a good thing, others so-so. They dropped programs in the 80's (bad) and some poorer stations couldn't afford the programming. However, they also started cooperating (good) so that they did not have so much duplication of programs. A good example would be here in Louisville where there are three stations. They became the Public Radio Partnership in which one station carries NPR news, one AA music (and a little jazz) and one does classical music. Before that occurred, the stations duplicated some of the shows. However, after the change in the 80's, that was extremely inefficient and expensive for each individual station, not to mention a seperate management. So this idea that NPR and member stations have a blank check is just more BS.

There is no better news radio network in the US. If there is, tell me what it is! (What? the EIB??--now there's a laugh)

There you go with the insults again. You should really read the Forum rules before you get into trouble.

NPR is largely funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. CPB's function is to fund both public radio and television. The most recent annual report for CPB indicates that they received almost 1/2 billion dollars from the federal government for distribution to public television and radio. Of that, NPR got around $100 million dollars. They get direct funding from the US government, along with grants from entities like the Dept. of Education and the National Endowment for the Arts.

That's not even counting the funds for satellite development and replacement.

http://www.cpb.org/aboutcpb/reports/annual/cpb_2006_annualreport.pdf
 
Ziggae playing word games? Taxpayers vs tax dollars, okay PBS gets lots of tax dollars, happy?
 
Ziggae playing word games? Taxpayers vs tax dollars, okay PBS gets lots of tax dollars, happy?


Not playing word games here. Taxpayer is a taxpayer and tax dollars are tax dollars. I can only respond to what he wrote--I can't interpret what he "meant" to say.
 
Almost every business is funded by taxpayers???? Are you serious?? Mine isn't and I don't know anyone else who's business if funded by taxpayers.

That is a VERY bizarre statement.




There you go with the insults again. You should really read the Forum rules before you get into trouble.

NPR is largely funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. CPB's function is to fund both public radio and television. The most recent annual report for CPB indicates that they received almost 1/2 billion dollars from the federal government for distribution to public television and radio. Of that, NPR got around $100 million dollars. They get direct funding from the US government, along with grants from entities like the Dept. of Education and the National Endowment for the Arts.

That's not even counting the funds for satellite development and replacement.

http://www.cpb.org/aboutcpb/reports/annual/cpb_2006_annualreport.pdf

I'm not sure how you get an insult out of this. The concept that NPR still relies upon the majority of their funding from the government is crapola and some idiot's talking points. The same idiots who claim NPR is a "liberal" network. Do you actually ever listen to NPR to get an opinion about this? What NPR program have you ever listened to? How have you formed your opinion on NPR's current programming? I am more than happy to debunk these myths because I hate to see you or anyone else be uninformed about Public Radio and I hope you go back to the source of your opinions and ask for some real facts. Even better, check out your own local public station. Since they are nonprofits, their income statements should be public record.

You've got a bit of a dilemma. If you think NPR is liberal, how do you know? Do you listen? Why do you listen? If you don't listen, where is your opinion on this topic coming from?


This is last year's NPR financial statement and you're going to see the same thing I am seeing. You are going to see that their largest source of income is from member stations. Their second is grants, contributions and scholarships.

http://www.npr.org/about/statements/fy2008/fy08consolidatedreport.pdf

NPR was totally funded from government as a startup. That was decades ago. What you are ignoring is that NPR basically changed to find other ways of funding to become more (and the key is "more") self sustaining. It is a demonstration of what Waxman is talking about. NPR still gets some tax money. Lots of people get tax money. But what NPR has done is change the way they get most of their funding. This represents a model for how a media outlet can exist and have high quality programming. A democracy benefits when it is better educated and has a quality source of news.

Not everything is better when it is market driven. If you considered "market driven" news, think of 24 hour coverage of Michael Jackson that went on and on. The "majority" wanted to hear about Jackson (for better or worse) so all other news wasn't covered. Tabloid journalism does well in the market, but it doesn't lead to a more educated electorate.

Here is NPR's comment about funding by its member stations. (note: these stations are not "owned" by NPR, they are independent)


NPR said:
NPR is an independent, self-supporting media organization. It is also a membership organization of separately licensed and operated public radio stations across the United States.
(Read more about NPR's mission and operations.)

NPR supports its operations through a combination of membership dues and programming fees from over 860 independent radio stations, sponsorship from private foundations and corporations, and revenue from the sales of transcripts, books, CDs, and merchandise. A very small percentage -- between one percent to two percent of NPR's annual budget -- comes from competitive grants sought by NPR from federally funded organizations, such as the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, National Science Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Published reports in Worth Magazine and Consumers Digest cited NPR as a leading U.S. nonprofit charity because of the organization's program spending efficiency, high level of private support, and outstanding public service.




On average, public radio stations (including NPR Member stations) receive the largest percentage of their annual operating revenue (31%) from listener support. For FY07, the most recent data available, the average station's revenues came from the following sources:
  • 31% from listeners in the form of pledges, memberships, and other donations
  • 20% from businesses via corporate underwriting
  • 11% from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which is federally funded*
  • 10% from licensee support
  • 9% from foundations and major gifts
  • 5% from local and state governments, and
  • 14% from all other sources.
*A note on CPB funding: There are 434 stations in 47 states and territories (including Guam and Puerto Rico) that specifically serve rural and minority communities; the latter includes numerous African-American, Native American, Latino, and multicultural licensees. In many cases, they are the sole local broadcasting service available. These stations receive significantly higher funding from CPB - in some cases, as much as two-thirds of their budgets - since many of their listeners simply don't have the financial resources to provide support.
NPR : Annual Reports, Audited Financial Statements, and Form 990s
 
I'm not sure how you get an insult out of this. The concept that NPR still relies upon the majority of their funding from the government is crapola and some idiot's talking points. The same idiots who claim NPR is a "liberal" network. Do you actually ever listen to NPR to get an opinion about this? What NPR program have you ever listened to? How have you formed your opinion on NPR's current programming? I am more than happy to debunk these myths because I hate to see you or anyone else be uninformed about Public Radio and I hope you go back to the source of your opinions and ask for some real facts. Even better, check out your own local public station. Since they are nonprofits, their income statements should be public record.

You've got a bit of a dilemma. If you think NPR is liberal, how do you know? Do you listen? Why do you listen? If you don't listen, where is your opinion on this topic coming from?


This is last year's NPR financial statement and you're going to see the same thing I am seeing. You are going to see that their largest source of income is from member stations. Their second is grants, contributions and scholarships.

http://www.npr.org/about/statements/fy2008/fy08consolidatedreport.pdf

NPR was totally funded from government as a startup. That was decades ago. What you are ignoring is that NPR basically changed to find other ways of funding to become more (and the key is "more") self sustaining. It is a demonstration of what Waxman is talking about. NPR still gets some tax money. Lots of people get tax money. But what NPR has done is change the way they get most of their funding. This represents a model for how a media outlet can exist and have high quality programming. A democracy benefits when it is better educated and has a quality source of news.

Not everything is better when it is market driven. If you considered "market driven" news, think of 24 hour coverage of Michael Jackson that went on and on. The "majority" wanted to hear about Jackson (for better or worse) so all other news wasn't covered. Tabloid journalism does well in the market, but it doesn't lead to a more educated electorate.

Here is NPR's comment about funding by its member stations. (note: these stations are not "owned" by NPR, they are independent)

Ahh, so it is your position that the CPB filed fraudulent tax returns and published a fraudulent annual report on their web site??? :roll:

Are you denying that the Corp. for Public Broadcasting supports NPR???

And yes, I listen to NPR quite often.
 
Ahh, so it is your position that the CPB filed fraudulent tax returns and published a fraudulent annual report on their web site??? :roll:

Are you denying that the Corp. for Public Broadcasting supports NPR???

And yes, I listen to NPR quite often.



And your position is that NPR filed fradulent tax returns and published a fraudulent annual report on their web site?? You are talking about NPR and NOT all public radio stations, correct? Corporation for Public Broadcasting distributes the funds to public broadcasters.

Your numbers do not fit the current NPR financial statement. I have posted a link to NPR's site with their last few financial statements. If you show that most of their income comes from government tax funds, then you would be correct with your original statement. That's not true.

Well, at least you listen. Good for you. I'm a member and believe that I should pay for it. Hope you do too.
 
And your position is that NPR filed fradulent tax returns and published a fraudulent annual report on their web site?? You are talking about NPR and NOT all public radio stations, correct? Corporation for Public Broadcasting distributes the funds to public broadcasters.

Your numbers do not fit the current NPR financial statement. I have posted a link to NPR's site with their last few financial statements. If you show that most of their income comes from government tax funds, then you would be correct with your original statement. That's not true.

Well, at least you listen. Good for you. I'm a member and believe that I should pay for it. Hope you do too.

How many public radio systems are there in this country????

HINT: 1 (NPR)
 
How many public radio systems are there in this country????

HINT: 1 (NPR)

Uh, rethink that a minute. I'll give YOU a hint. Garrison Keillor.


That hint was brought to you by Powdermilk Biscuits. ;)

Be quiet Amy Goodman! He'll get to you eventually!
 
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Uh, rethink that a minute. I'll give YOU a hint. Garrison Keillor.


That hint was brought to you by Powdermilk Biscuits. ;)

Be quiet Amy Goodman! He'll get to you eventually!

Are you actually claiming that Keillor did not have a show on NPR stations?? Other than that, your cryptic response is nonsensical.
 
Be quiet Amy Goodman! He'll get to you eventually!


Isn't she that largely irrelevant hippie throwback of a reporter on LINKTV, that loves to blame America more than anything or anyone else?


Way to throw out the obscure.


j-mac
 
Are you actually claiming that Keillor did not have a show on NPR stations?? Other than that, your cryptic response is nonsensical.


No, Keillor's show is not from NPR. Remember, all stations are independent. Is this a true statement:

GIL said:
How many public radio systems are there in this country????

HINT: 1 (NPR)


You present this as a fact. It is not. I gave you a real "hint." From what network does Prairie Home Companion originate? Amy Goodman produces a public radio program called Democracy Now. It is also not from NPR. From what network does it originate from?

Come on, google it. I'm not going to do all your fact checking. You keep making inaccurate statements and I keep having to show your mistakes. This is where you appear to be unknowledgable about public radio.

Where do you get your information about public radio financing?
 
No, Keillor's show is not from NPR. Remember, all stations are independent. Is this a true statement:




You present this as a fact. It is not. I gave you a real "hint." From what network does Prairie Home Companion originate? Amy Goodman produces a public radio program called Democracy Now. It is also not from NPR. From what network does it originate from?

Come on, google it. I'm not going to do all your fact checking. You keep making inaccurate statements and I keep having to show your mistakes. This is where you appear to be unknowledgable about public radio.

Where do you get your information about public radio financing?

Ok, there are two producers of pubic radio programming. Forgot about the insignificant APM. Of course, they get over $6 million/year directly from the government themselves and money from individual stations

Doesn't change the fact that CPB provides $100 million/year from the government to public radio.

Also doesn't change the fact that each public radio station also gets government money, that they pay to NPR and APM for programming. The taxpayers money flows all through this.
 
Obscure is a relative term.


Well, I would think that since APR stations, or LINK is not generally seen, or heard outside a small number of markets, then obscure is completely appropriate.


NPR on the other hand is in ALL major markets.


So, it may be just a little more than disingenuous to infer that a LINK, or APR, or even PRI is as universally known, or should be to make your point. The overall consideration at least as I see it, is that the Government should have NO role in funding these sounding boards for liberal propaganda. These are my tax dollars as well, and if systems like NPR can't make it on their own, let them go.


j-mac
 
Ok, there are two producers of pubic radio programming. Forgot about the insignificant APM. Of course, they get over $6 million/year directly from the government themselves and money from individual stations

Doesn't change the fact that CPB provides $100 million/year from the government to public radio.

Also doesn't change the fact that each public radio station also gets government money, that they pay to NPR and APM for programming. The taxpayers money flows all through this.


Ha. Ha. Ha. You still don't know what you're talking about. There are several public radio networks. "Taxpayers money" flows through a lot of places. The goal is for it is to be efficient and provide for the public welfare.

Public radio does an excellent job of doing that by educating people by being a reliable source of world and national news (and often local news in certain markets).

This back and forth all started from this statement:

NPR is a very liberal newsource. Of course its not having any financial trouble. As you said, they are publicly funded. Whenever they need more money, they run to Congress and ask for more.

This was an extremely inaccurate statement. Public Radio is a lot like any nonprofits. Its hard work staying in business. Sometimes they have had to make cuts and they've done their share in the last 20 years.

Gill, I am not expecting you to know the full history. But your original statement does not reflect the reality of public radio.

I'm glad you listen too--it must have some value for you and its a barometer of intelligent thought going on.
 
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