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Media pundit decries renewed funding of NPR, PBS

A conservative media analyst says there's no constitutional justification for the federal government to spend tax dollars on public television or radio.



The editor of Accuracy in Media is blasting the House of Representatives for voting overwhelmingly to maintain the $420 million subsidy for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. By a 357-72 vote, the House ensured that tax dollars will continue flow to the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), National Public Radio, and other public television and radio stations.

Cliff Kincaid, editor of Accuracy in Media, objects to any taxpayer funding of public TV or radio. He says the House vote is especially disturbing given the lack of objectivity in public broadcasting. "We object [to the federal subsidies] because in many cases, public TV and radio are biased in favor of the liberal or Democratic point of view -- although by law they are supposed to be fair and balanced," he points out.

PBS has come under fire of late for rejecting a taxpayer-funded film called "Islam vs. Islamists: Voices from the Muslim Center." Makers of the movie claim they were censored because of liberal bias at PBS.

In addition, Kincaid is convinced that federal subsidies give a financial advantage to broadcasting outlets receiving those funds. "I mean, why should public broadcasting get money and Rush Limbaugh not?" he asks. "This is federal money [and] this is an issue that the taxpayers ought to be able to decide what to support through freedom of choice."

Kincaid says if Congress wants to spend money, it should spend it on worthwhile causes like winning the war on terrorism and providing supplies and body armor for American troops.