Should NPR be Publicly Funded? (Part 2)

The other question that comes to mind is why the government funds NPR but not other radio stations or the TV etc.  In this case the answer seems to be that these other products have transformed their playing fields. Through the use of commercials, they have made us the listeners the product which the station sells to paying advertisers. In this way, by creating rivalry among businesses for our attention, such programming is not a public good. From this perspective, though NPR is founded in principles that classify it as a public good, it does receive some commercial funding. But NPR isolates this to only the money it needs (non-profit) so that the vast majority of content is publicly provided and therefore the situation becomes extremely delicate. And by publicly provided I’m not referring to the government but rather the so called economic K group. Or simply people with large purchasing power who are willing to pay for those who can’t or who exploit as “free riders”.

And some argue that this minor advertising and major K group together should exempt NPR from federal backing. As newspapers and other goods adapt to our world, a lot of their content is available for free online and they have to find new ways to earn revenue so why shouldn’t NPR. In fact some believe that public radio would receive even more money and do better if it weren’t perceived under the government. But what if radio would be even better if it could avoid fundraising drives by getting more taxpayer money.

                If nothing else, you get the point that there are a lot of ifs and buts. No one knows for sure what to do and I honestly can’t say I have an opinion on what should be done. On the one hand NPR in my opinion is extremely valuable and ought to be supported no matter what. But on the other hand, in today’s technological age, I agree that it is public radio’s responsibility to support itself and find a sustainable outlet for its content. Feel free to share your views in the comments and stay tuned as we look towards what the final verdict shall be.