1. Forums
  2. General Chat

Public Media, funding cuts, and your thoughts...

July 19, 2025 04:20AM
By now you have seen the news about cutting federal funding for public media.

Based upon what seem to be responsible analyses, small rural outlets may be most affected by the funding changes. These outlets relied on a higher percentage of government dollars than those in larger markets, which typically have larger nearby audiences and greater visibility to potential funders. The larger outlets might more easily secure new funds from other resources.

What about you? How, if at all, will this funding (and likely programming change) affect you?

My garden in England is full of eating-out places, for heat waves, warm September evenings, or lunch on a chilly Christmas morning. (Mary Quant)
Reply
Log In
x

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

Already a member? Log In.

July 19, 2025 06:54AM
Cuts to taxpayer funded biased media? What's not to like? Government funding of news media in this environment is not only outdated and unnecessary but corrosive to the appearance of journalistic independence.

No effect on me.

Like the American public at large, I consume most of my "media" via the streaming services, in particular, YouTube. [www.nielsen.com] As always, you have to recognize the source material and thus the journalistic independence. At one time this was taught in schools and it's significance in citing sources in written work.

ABC, CBS, and NBC, the largest, traditional media outlets have declined in recent decades due to significant bias and dropping viewership which results in lower advertising revenue. It's why the Stephen Colbert show got canceled; bias > declining viewership > reduced finances.

I've never had a cable subscription service. Only an internet provider. I prefer to PULL information from the web instead of being FORCED media from biased sources. I know the difference between opinion and factual articles. Unfortunately, many people do not.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/19/2025 06:56AM by maverick1.
Reply
July 19, 2025 08:06AM
I used to love public radio when I was younger. They carried a lot of local content, and were generally nonpartisan. Then NPR came along, and tended to focus more on national cultural and identity issues, and instead of referring to Democrats and Republicans, it started referring to we and they. It really became unlistenable. Not because it was bad, but because it had such a narrow lens. While I support the idea of public radio in general, I completely understand the desire to cut the funding of what currently passes as public radio.
Reply
July 29, 2025 05:57AM
I watch 2 of the PBS channels in my area regularly. I like news that isn't beholden to big corporations, or the current administration. Because of the Paramount mess, I've canceled my Paramount Plus streaming account. If it means I don't get to watch next season's CBS shows then so be it. All of the corporate media companies have bowed to the bully and are letting him dictate their programming.

I doubt I'll be watching CBS or any Paramount channels again for several years. And if the way things are going don't change soon, that may extend to ABC and NBC too. I haven't watched anything on Fox in ages.. like 15 years or more.

If PBS can't survive, I'm going to seriously miss my cooking shows, and the Ken Burns documentaries.
Reply
September 15, 2025 04:36PM
I'm glad Netflix is allowing the free distribution of Sesame Street. Defunding public media has been a clarion call for many decades. It was just a matter of time. Fewer and fewer people watch any form of legacy media. I get that it's valuable for lower income families. Everyone is looking to cut back. Its a small silly thing. But lots of people are small and silly.

shopping north west PA and south west ny
Reply
September 15, 2025 05:19PM
Streaming is the "in" place today. Nearly everyone is now watching Charlie Kirk vids. Previously, I only heard his name in passing. I had to view a few just to find out more about him. RIP

Here's what a dear friend from HS sent to me just after the assassination:
"As someone who believes in the sciences, I am sure you can relate to the problem being those among us who create their own definition of reality. In my world, there are 2 genders. Period. If someone wants to be a "Furry" and bark like a dog, they need to seek help or forever be kept on a leash."
Reply
September 18, 2025 10:39PM
I'm glad that there will be no more Charlie Kirk shorts in my feed of him preaching at college campuses.
Reply
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login