PUBLIC BROADCASTING IN DANGER OF LOSING FEDERAL SUPPORT

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a
budget that eliminates federal funding for
public broadcasting. This would be a disaster
for the country and would probably force
a number of small local operations, radio
and tv, to go dark, as well as hamstringing
the operations of larger stations. Not only
would the legislation prohibit stations from
buying programming from National Public
Radio with federal funds, assuming they would
be getting any, they could not use federal funds
for the purchase of any public radio programming
such as Prairie Home Companion, BBC News,
Pipedreams, Symphonycast, and other shows
from Public Radio International, American Public
Media and  idenpendent producers.  

Yes, WCLV is a commercial operation and not a public
broadcaster, but we believe that public broadcasting 
is important to the nation and our culture because of its offerings of alternative programming
not generally available from most commercial stations.  In the face of cookie cutter programing
from national mega-radio corporations, we believe that public radio cotinues to make radio
a relevent medium. NPR is the nation's best radio news service and stands shoulder to
shoulder with the BBC. And let's not forget PBS and the programming treasures it offers.  

Everyone understands all funding programs must be carefully reviewed and justified in
these challenging economic times, but continuing federal support for public broadcasting i
s important both as public policy and to assure vital programs and services. 

Members of Congress need to hear from their constituents about how you feel about support
for Public Broadcasting. 

Below is a list of Members of Congress from NE Ohio. 

Full disclosure requires that we tell you two of the six members of the WCLV Foundation
board are executives from ideastream, owners and operators of WVIZ TV and WCPN (FM)
.And two of the officers of Radio Seaway, the WCL:V corporation, are on the board of ideastream.

Area Ohio U.S. Representatives

House District 5: Robert E. Latta, 202-225-6405
House District 9: Marcy Kaptur, 202-225-4146
House District 10: Dennis Kucinich, 202-225-5871
House District 11: Marcia L. Fudge, 202-225-7032
House District 13: Betty Sutton, 202-225-3401
House District 14: Steven C. LaTourette, 202-225-5731
House District 16: Jim Renacci, 202-225-3876
House District 17: Timothy Ryan, 202-225-5261

Don't know your district? Click here to find out.
<http://www.house.gov/Welcome.shtml> 

Ohio U.S. Senators

Sherrod Brown, 202-224-2315
Rob Portman, 202-224-3353

Importance of Federal Funding for Public Broadcasting

*         Public broadcasting is not "a luxury we can't afford" but an
essential service regularly depended on and enjoyed by 170 million
Americans in all 50 States.

o       Public broadcasters reach over 98% of American households with
free services.

o       The same series of Roper Polls finds public broadcasting placing
second, just behind national defense, as the most appropriate
expenditure of public funds.

o       170 million Americans regularly rely on public broadcasting each
month for its educational and information resources, its thoughtful
exploration of a diversity of religious and cultural issues, and the
window on the world stage that it opens to urban and rural communities
nationwide.

*         Public broadcasting is America's largest classroom-closing the
achievement gap through innovative, standards-based educational content
and resources for parents, teachers and students.

o       Eliminating funds for public broadcasting eliminates the safe
harbor of children's educational programming.

o       Numerous studies of public television programming indicate that
children who watch shows like Sesame Street, Between the Lions,
SuperWHY! and Word World show marked improvement on key literacy skills.


o       Public television is cited as the number one source of media
content among preschool teachers. In addition, the online educational
content and resources provided by public television has become one of
the top Internet destinations for children.

*         Public broadcasting serves as a trusted partner and agent of
better citizenship in the world's greatest democracy.

o       From candidate debates and coverage of state legislatures and
local issues, to Ken Burns and the American Experience documentaries-
public broadcasting is committed to programming that teaches us what is
special about our country. 

o       For the seventh year in a row, the latest Roper Poll has found
the news programming of public broadcasting to be the most trusted in
America, across all ideological and partisan lines.

*         Cutting or eliminating federal funding for public broadcasting
will have a severe negative impact on local services and economies in
all 50 states.

o       Public broadcasting stations are some of the last locally owned
and operated media outlets in the country, serving all Americans from
Bethel, Alaska to Miami, Florida and everywhere in between.

o       At an annual cost of about $1.35 per year for each American,
public broadcasting is a smart investment. For every federal dollar
invested in public broadcasting, local stations raise $6 on their own,
creating important economic activity as well as educational and cultural
service.