At its heart, NPR is an educational institution. It was born out of the same philosophy that brought America public education for everyone. Thomas Jefferson and America's other founders believed in public education because it leads to a more highly-educated and prosperous country -- a more informed electorate and a more vital democracy. It was a decision that -- probably more than any other -- led America to become the most prosperous country on earth, and its longest-lasting democracy.
Why the Republicans Hate NPR
Yesterday, Republicans in the House passed a bill -- with no Democratic support -- to cut off funding for NPR altogether and to restrict local public radio stations from using federal funds from buying programing from NPR.
The Miami Herald quoted Patrick Butler, president of the Public Media Association that represents public television stations and NPR, as saying:
Why do the radical Republicans in the House hate NPR?
First, they hate any successful public sector -- non-corporate venture. It flies in the face of radical conservative belief that the "private sector" always does things better.
Second, the Republicans hate the idea that NPR is drawing listeners from stations owned by corporations like Clear Channel. They are all about "competition" until private corporations have to compete with public sector ventures that can provide superior services for less money and don't have to pay millions in profits to satisfy their corporate task masters.
Third, Republicans want to kill NPR because it presents high quality, unbiased, factually accurate news. These qualities do not sit well with people who want the Rupert Murdoch's and Fox News's of the world to control what the public has the right to hear. They think unbiased news coverage is subversive.
Fourth, the Republicans in the House wanted to attack NPR to throw some red meat to the Tea Party portion of its base.
No comments:
Post a Comment