FCC's Gomez Promotes Radio

[boombox4]

While NPR stations may have a lot of support from their listeners, that support may not be enough to counter a quick-moving administration determined to kill it. See what happened to VOA.

The main difference being that millions of NPR listeners donate to their stations, while VOA is an entity that most Americans probably didn't know existed, or care whether it existed even if they knew about it. When VOA came under attack, even in Radio circles it seemed like just another at the circus, nothing to see here, move along.

But when NPR came under attack -- just as it has today, according to a news article -- it's bring out the pitchforks and guillotines, 'you're attacking Big Bird and Mister Rogers.'

So I think that if NPR and PBS decide to fight this in court, they should be able to fund the right attorneys. NPR's donors are fairly well heeled. Their revenues went up during the pandemic recession. Although I'm sure that they aren't all millionaires, they do have money.

 

[TheBigA]

So I think that if NPR and PBS decide to fight this in court, they should be able to fund the right attorneys. NPR's donors are fairly well heeled. Their revenues went up during the pandemic recession. Although I'm sure that they aren't all millionaires, they do have money.

Remember that the funding doesn't go to NPR and PBS. It goes to CPB. They're the ones under attack. They're supposed to be the buffer between the politicians and the journalists. They should be the ones testifying in congress. But they're not because nobody knows who they are. They are supposed to be an independent federal agency. 100% of their money comes from the government. They can't fundraise independently. Here's reporting on the story from WBUR Boston:

What to know about Trump's plan to rescind federal funding from NPR and PBS

A little more than 3% of WBUR's annual budget comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. But that doesn't fully encapsulate the potential impact of CPB cuts.

www.wbur.org

 

[davideduardo]

While NPR stations may have a lot of support from their listeners, that support may not be enough to counter a quick-moving administration determined to kill it. See what happened to VOA.

There is a difference in that the VOA has few domestic supporters, while NPR and PBS with CPB behind them have considerable support. And that domestic support tends to be among educated and vocal people, capable of making considerable noise.

 

[TheBigA]

The FCC's Anna Gomez visited PBS station WHYY Philadelphia:

As Trump Targets CPB Funding, FCC’s Gomez Stands With Public Broadcasters.

Amid efforts to cut federal funding for public media, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez visited WHYY in Philadelphia last week to highlight its essential role in delivering local news and emergency

www.insideradio.com

At least she's spending the time, visiting the stations, and talking to the people.

 

[TheBigA]

Geoffrey Starks has already said he's leaving. If the president fires Gomez, there would be no dems. He has already fired commissioners in other agencies. I haven't observed a lot of concern over tradition.

He officially resigned Thursday. The expectation is he won't be replaced. It's just Gomez.