H.R. 1076 is an unfair and unjustified attack on our nation's public radio system and I strongly urge you to vote against it. Not only does this bill prohibit NPR from receiving federal funds, it goes so far as to prohibit the use of federal funds for acquisition of radio content regardless of the source.
If H.R. 1076 becomes law, many local public radio stations, particularly those in rural areas, would not be able to provide the news, public affairs, and other high-quality, unique programming that millions of Americans rely on every day.
This attack on NPR and public radio is a distraction from the facts:
Public broadcasting is one of the most successful public/private partnerships in America, with $6 in local support matching every $1 invested by the federal government.
Almost all federal funding for public broadcasting goes to local stations, these independent organizations represent some of the last locally-owned, locally-staffed and locally-programmed media outlets in this country. These stations are in every community across the country and employ some 21,000 people.
Public broadcasting is an essential service to the American people. Without public broadcasting, our communities would lose access to the safe-haven of children's non-commercial educational content, the in-depth news and public affairs programming, access to the world of arts and cultural locally, nationally and internationally, and the local voice that weaves the diverse perspectives of our communities together.
I strongly urge you to oppose this flawed bill that would have a devastating effect on our nation's public radio system.
No comments:
Post a Comment