http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wium/local-wium-936517.mp3
Macomb, IL – The panelists discuss a recommendation by the co-chairs of a presidential commission. The co-chairs say federal funding should be eliminated for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting by 2015.
No rationale is given for the recommendation, which was one of many offered in a draft report by the the co-chairs of President Obama's National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. The panel is looking for ways to reduce the nation's $13.7 trillion deficit. The full commission has yet to vote on the proposals.
The Shop Talk panelists feel the elimination of CPB funding would especially be felt by rural stations. It's possible public radio and TV stations would have to cut back on programming and reduce their hours of operation.
The funding cut could also jeopardize the quality and quantity of statehouse news coverage and might make it more difficult for PBS to offer commercial free children's programming.