TVs gold standard: Trumps proposed budget cuts decimate network leading the way in climate reporti

[Judi Lynn]

SATURDAY, MAR 25, 2017 06:29 PM CDT

In 2016, PBS NewsHour once again surpassed its nightly news competitors in climate coverage
KEVIN KALHOEFER, MEDIA MATTERS



In 2016, PBS NewsHour once again surpassed its nightly news competitors in climate coverage by devoting significant airtime to a range of climate-related issues and hosting a number of scientists. But President Donald Trump’s proposed budget would take aim at the network that has long been the nightly news leader in terms of climate coverage by cutting vital government support for PBS.

Trump’s budget blueprint released last week included a proposal to completely defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), an independent agency that partially funds PBS and NPR. CPB CEO Patricia Harrison said the proposed cuts could start “the collapse of the public media system itself and the end of this essential national service.”

In addition to funding a portion of PBS’ revenue source directly, about half of CPB’s $445 million budget goes to PBS member stations that broadcast PBS NewsHour, with stations in rural areas being especially reliant on CPB funding. In a statement to Media Matters, CPB stated, “The loss of this seed money would have a devastating effect [on stations in rural America]. These stations would have to raise approximately 200 percent more in private donations to replace the federal investment.”

Variety reported, “WCTE-TV in Cookeville, Tennessee, is a prime example. . . . Station manager Becky Magura told [PBS president Paula] Kerger that the station would shut down if it loses CPB funding, which amounts to about half of its operating budget. WCTE is the only TV station that directly serves the town and surrounding areas in Putnam County, population 73,245 as of 2013.”

More:
http://www.salon.com/2017/03/25/tvs-gold-standard-trumps-proposed-budget-cuts-decimate-network-leading-the-way-in-climate-reporting_partner/

[shenmue]

1. PBS is solid news

[mwooldri]

2. Defunding CPB hurts rural America.

Sure, your big city public broadcasters like WGBH, WNYC, will survive a complete loss of Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding. Charlotte, NC might lose WTVI - it's PBS affiliate (but would still get PBS via UNC-TV). More rural areas would be harder hit, as cited in the original article.