It’s Time To Resolve The Public Broadcasting Issue

With congressional budget cutters focusing their attention on the nation’s public radio and television stations, the call to eliminate direct federal funding has come most forcefully and quite surprisingly from public broadcasters themselves.

Answering the call from Congress, leaders of the public broadcasting community - National Public Radio, Public Radio International, the Public Broadcasting Service and America’s public television stations - have developed a bold initiative to eliminate the need for an annual federal appropriation while protecting the important noncommercial programming and services upon which the American people depend.

The proposal has been refined several times in response to suggestions from members of the House and Senate. The ball now lies in Congress’ court.

The proposal offers significant cost-cutting, greater efficiencies and legislative changes that would make it possible for public broadcasters to become more entrepreneurial and self-sufficient.

It calls for the creation of a new, private corporation to support local public broadcasting efforts. The corporation would be capitalized through one of public broadcasting’s own assets - its spectrum. A portion of the noncommercial share of the new advanced television (ATV) spectrum would be leased or auctioned to generate income. This spectrum, currently not in use, could be used by emerging digital television or other telecommunication devices.

Revenue from lease or sale of the ATV spectrum would go into a trust fund for public broadcasting. Interest on the trust fund would replace current federal support for public broadcasting. Once the new corporation is fully capitalized, the current federal subsidy would end.

Members of Congress have heard in overwhelming numbers that the American people want them to ensure the future of public broadcasting. The educational, informational and cultural programming and services provided by public radio and television are too important to individuals in communities across the nations, regardless of age, race, income or ideology. As a result, Congress has not followed through on the pledge the Speaker of the House made earlier this year to immediately cut off support for public broadcasting. A workable, long term solution is now at hand. This is a good idea whose time has come.

Public broadcasters should be applauded for their willingness to discuss a future without a federal appropriation and their creativity in devising an alternative. It answers the calls of Congress and respects the needs of the American people.

If those who want to end federal funding for public broadcasting are genuine in their protestations that they have no wish to kill it, let them join the discussion about how to achieve that objective.

Regardless of whether members of Congress agree or disagree with the proposal put forth by the public broadcasting community, it is time to resolve this situation. The time for political posturing has passed. Elected officials should either work to implement this plan, or bring alternative solutions to the table. The public depends on it.

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