EZscience writes:
In my view, the economic arguments are all suspect because they implicitly assume that the 'product' will not change if the PBC becomes 'for profit' instead of 'non-profit'. I say that it will.
I disagree. The legal status of a corporation need not change as a result of a shift in revenue source. PBS and NPR are currently non-profit organizations and they would retain that non-profit status after federal funding has been discontinued. The withdrawal of federal support will not distort their culture by altering their corporate mission towards the exclusive pursuit of profit.
All the arguments using the terrible problems associated with the greedy pursuit of profit in for-profit corporations fail as a motivating factor because they will continue to be non-profits. I don’t see a 15% shift in the revenue source as causing them to change their status to a for-profit corporation.
Besides, they will need to retain their non-profit status in order to continue to receive State and local government funding as well as tax exempt status. The 15% shift in their revenue source represents a marketing challenge certainly, but one that can be overcome with the end result being a more efficient organization.
I’ve already discussed commercial spots in my previous thread. PBS has them now and will continue to have them. I don’t believe a case has been made that the current commercial sponsors are having undue influence on programming to the detriment of the public good. The withdrawal of federal funding will not change that. Whatever you believe the corporate influence to be right now, good or bad, it will stay the same after federal funding has been phased out.
Education can, should, and will continue to be one of the goals at the network. PBS and NPR can and will continue to be the network by the people and for the people. The primary source of their support comes from the public, from memberships, from viewers like you as often heard on the PBS telemarketing campaigns. The remaining sources are from corporate sponsorship, foundations, colleges, auctions, among
others None of that will change. Only federal sponsorship.
I will add a caveat to my discussion with the issue of upgrading the member station infrastructure. I would support a one-time federal appropriation to provide necessary upgrades, (i.e digital equipment, etc.) and then begin a program to phase out federal support. State and local government support would remain.