De-Funding Public Radio
By Stu Nolan
The news that the House of Representatives approved a measure that would de-fund National Public Radio appears at first glance to be a big symbolic victory for conservatives who object to its well documented bias favoring liberal and radical politics. Closer scrutiny indicates that this is probably only a symbolic gesture.
NPR became vulnerable after long-time NPR reporter Juan Williams was forced out apparently due to his frequent appearances on Fox News and comments deemed too insensitive to the feelings of Muslims. Most recently, Ron Schiller, an NPR fundraising executive, was recorded claiming that NPR would be “better off" without taxpayer funding and made comments insulting to conservatives.
Alas, even if the House-passed bill becomes law, it only strips direct taxpayer funding of NPR itself. Many of the NPR-member public radio stations can still receive federal funding. Although the bill prohibits such stations from using those precise funds to NPR in the way of paying membership dues, money is of course fungible so the restriction can probably be overcome with simple bookkeeping maneuvers.
In short, reports of NPR's death are probably being greatly exaggerated.
comments powered by Disqus

- The Word
- Prayer
- Contributors
- Father Edward Horkan
- Stu Nolan
- Father Jerry Pokorsky
- Msgr. Charles Pope
- Father Paul Scalia
- In the Spotlight
- Acton PowerBlog
- Bench Memos
- Father Boquet
- Catholic Thing
- First Things
- LifeSite News
- Father Longenecker
- National Catholic Register
- Ed Peters
- Monsignor Pope
- Father Spitzer
- Truth & Charity Forum
- Faithful Commentary
- Papal Audiences
- Adoremus
- Atonement
- Big Pulpit
- Blue Hermit
- Cabrini Center
- Catholic Answers
- Catholic Vote
- Courageous Priest
- Crisis
- Curt Jester
- Father DeCelles
- Digital Nun
- Dominicana
- Encourage & Teach
- To Find Fruit
- Father Cassian Folsom
- Friars of Renewal
- Inst. for Catholic Culture
- Just A Brother
- Liturgy Reflections
- Kathryn Lopez
- New Advent
- Path of Life
- Patrick Madrid
- Magis Center
- Nun Blog
- Nun Speak
- Pauline Faithways
- Father Percy
- Pilgrim & Priest
- Sr. Rose at Movies
- Spiritual Exercises
- Whosoever Desires
- Windows to the Soul
- World Report
- WorldWatch
- More Faithful Commentary
- Directory
- + New Additions
- + By Clergy
- + By Consecrated
- Glorious Streaming
- Air Maria
- EWTN
- Fr. James Farfaglia
- Journey Home
- We Are One Body
- Holy Devotions
- Eucharistic Adoration
- Marian Consecration
- BVM, Flame of Love
- Virtual Pilgrimage
- Virtual Vatican
- Holy Pursuits
- Scripture Reading Plan
- Family Catechism
- Catechism Reading Plan
- Lenten Reading Plan
- Reflections
- Holy Treasure
- Search Scripture
- Search Catechism
- Church Fathers
- Encyclicals
- Encyclopedia
- Summa Theologica
- Library
- American Philosophy
- Magna Carta
- Va Declaration of Rights
- Decl. of Independence
- The Constitution
- Bill of Rights
- Fed. Judiciary Act 1789
- Edmund Burke
- + on Revolution
- Charles de Montesquieu
- + on Spirit of Laws
- Federalist Papers
- Anti-Federalist Papers
- The Founding Fathers
- Alexis de Tocqueville
- + Democracy in America
- The National Debt
- Debt Clock
- Religious Liberty
- Alliance Defense
- Becket Fund
- + "Unacceptable"
- + Mandate Info
- Thomas More Law Center
- The Culture of Life
- etherScout Search Tool
- Faithful Scouts
- Human Life International
- + Talking Points
- Life Decisions International
- LifeSiteNews
- Spirit & Life
- Truth & Charity Forum
- WitnessWorks Foundation
- World Report
- WorldWatch
- Holy Orders
- Adoration Sisters
- Byzantines
- Daughters of Charity
- Daughters of Divine Hope
- Daughters of Divine Zeal
- Daughters of St. Paul
- Norbertines
- Our Lady Immaculate
- Passionists
- PIME Missionaries
- Salesians
- + Scriptural Reflections
- Salesians Don Bosco
- Sisters of Poor
- Seminarians' Dictionary
- + Benedictines
- Sisters
- Nuns
- Arkansas
- Idaho
- Kansas
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- + Carmelites
- Sisters
- Sister Helena
- + Dominicans
- Preaching Friars
- Alabama
- California
- District of Columbia
- + The Thomist
- New Jersey
- New York
- Texas
- + Franciscans
- Felicians
- Capuchin
- Marians of Immaculate
- Mercedarian
- Poor Clares
- Renewal
- Readings for Today
- Spirituality
- Vocations
- Arizona
- Illinois (Alton)
- Illinois (Chicago)
- Illinois 3rd Order
- Maine
- New York
- Texas
- Wisconsin
- + Jesuits
- Society of Jesus
- + Trappists
- Trappists (CA)
- Trappists (MS)
WitnessWorks Foundation
For a Culture of Life
4 Family Life Lane
Front Royal, VA 22630
Facebook