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The Corporation for Public Broadcasting:
Federal Funding and Issues
Glenn J. McLoughlin
Section Research Manager
Mark Gurevitz
Information Research Specialist
October 26, 2010September 1, 2011
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
RS22168
CRS Report for Congress
Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress
c11173008
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The Corporation for Public Broadcasting: Federal Funding and Issues
Summary
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) receives virtually all of its funding through
federal appropriations; overall, about 15% of all public television and radio broadcasting funding
comes from the federal appropriations that CPB distributes. CPB’s appropriation is allocated
through a distribution formula established in its authorizing legislation and has historically
received two-year advanced appropriations. For FY2011, the CPB appropriation is $430 million,
and for FY2012 it will be $445 million (passed as a part of the FY2009 and FY2010
appropriation bills, respectively). The Obama Administration has requested $460 million for the
F2011 appropriations request (but which would go into effect in FY2013).
On Wednesday, October 20, 2010, Juan Williams, a reporter for National Public Radio (NPR),
was fired for comments he made on the Fox News Channel regarding Muslims. Since that
incident, some have questioned the process and fairness of this firing, which in turn has raised
questions about any federal funding that supports NPR policies and programs. Beyond that issue,
this report addresses the components of federal support for public broadcasting, as well as briefly
describing those issues facing public television and public radio. This report will be updated as
events warrant.
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Contents
Background ................................................................................................................................1
Corporation for Public Broadcasting ...........................................................................................1
Public Television: PBS................................................................................................................2
Public Radio: NPR and PRI ........................................................................................................2
Federal Funding ..........................................................................................................................3
Issues..........................................................................................................................................6
Tables
Table 1. CPB Federal Appropriations ..........................................................................................4
Contacts
Author Contact Information ........................................................................................................7Congressional policymakers are increasingly
interested in the federal role in supporting CPB due to concerns over the federal debt, the role of
the federal government funding for public radio and television, and whether public broadcasting
provides a balanced and nuanced approach to covering news of national interest.
It is also important to note that many congressional policymakers defend the federal role of
funding public broadcasting. They contend that it provides news and information to large
segments of the population that seek to understand complex policy issues in depth, and in
particular for children’s television broadcasting, has a significant and positive impact on early
learning and education for children.
On April 15, 2011, President Obama signed the eighth and final Continuing Resolution (CR) into
law (H.R. 1473, P.L. 112-10). The final CR sustained $430 million in advanced appropriations for
CPB in FY2011, provided $445 million in advanced appropriations for FY2013, and ended $80
million in continued funding from FY2010 for three federal programs related to public
broadcasting.
On March 15, Representative Lamborn introduced H.R. 1076, To Prohibit Federal Funding of
National Public Radio and the Use of Federal Funds to Acquire Radio Content. Among its
provisions, the bill would end direct federal funding of NPR Inc. as well as prohibit member
stations from using federally appropriated funding to purchase broadcasting content from NPR
Inc. The bill, without committee hearings or markup, was considered on the floor of the House of
Representatives on March 17, 2011, and passed the same day (228-192). It has been referred to
the Senate, where to date no further action has been taken. This report will be updated as events
warrant.
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Contents
Background...................................................................................................................................... 1
Corporation for Public Broadcasting ............................................................................................... 1
Public Television: PBS .................................................................................................................... 2
Public Radio: NPR and PRI............................................................................................................. 2
Federal Funding ............................................................................................................................... 3
Legislative Activity.......................................................................................................................... 6
Issues................................................................................................................................................ 7
Tables
Table 1. CPB Federal Appropriations .............................................................................................. 4
Contacts
Author Contact Information............................................................................................................. 9
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The Corporation for Public Broadcasting: Federal Funding and Issues
Background
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) was incorporated in 1967 as a private nonprofit
corporation under the authority of the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 (P.L. 90-129). CPB
funding promotes public television and radio stations and their programs. These CPB-funded
stations reach virtually every household in the United States. CPB is the largest single source of
funding for public television and radio programming.
Most CPB-funded television programs are distributed through the Public Broadcasting Service
(PBS) created in 1969 by CPB. CPB-funded radio programs are distributed primarily through
National Public Radio (NPR), created in 1970 by CPB, and Public Radio International (PRI).
The number of radio and television public broadcasting stations supported by CPB increased
from 270 in 1969 to 1,050 in 2009,1 of which 356 are television stations. Public broadcasting
stations are mostly run by universities, nonprofit community associations, state government
agencies, and local school boards.
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
CPB is a nonprofit private corporation and is guided by a nine-member board of directors. These
directors are appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. The directors
serve for staggered six-year terms. The current chairman is Dr. Ernest Wilson III, elected by the
board of directors in September 2009. CPB’s principal function is to receive and distribute
government contributions (or federal appropriations) to fund national programs and to support
qualified public radio and television stations based on legislatively mandated formulas. The bulk
of these funds, including the matching funds received from non-federal sources, are used to
provide Community Service Grants (or CSGs) to stations that meet specified eligibility criteria.
CPB exercises minimum control of program content and other activities of local stations, and is
prohibited from owning or operating any of the primary facilities used in broadcasting. In
addition, it may not produce, disseminate, or schedule programs. The current president and CEO
of CPB is Patricia de Stacy Harrison, appointed by the board of Directorsdirectors in June 2005.
Approximately 15% of all public television and radio broadcasting funding comes from the
federal appropriations that CPB distributes.2 However, among individual public broadcasting
stations, the amount of federal dollars that contributes to a station’s annual budget depends on the
funds it receives from non-federal sources; the number and extent of broadcast transmitters
required to service its coverage area; the extent to which a station is serving rural areas and
minority audiences; and whether or not it is a television or radio station.
While federal funding for CPB primarily comes from the Departments of Labor-Health and
Human Services - -Education appropriations bill as a separate entry under the “Related Agencies”
section of that bill, it may receive other sources of funding from the federal government. For
example, on October 15, 2010, CPB and PBS received notification of a Ready to Learn grant of
nearly $72 million from the Department of Education’s Office of Innovation and Improvement.
1
2
http://www.cpb.org/aboutpb/faq/stations.html.
http://www.cpb.org/stations/reports/revenue/2007PublicBroadcastingRevenue.pdf.
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CPB and PBS will use this money to fund research, development, and deployment of transmedia
content to improve the math and literarcyliteracy skills of children ages 2-8, especially those living in
poverty.3
Public Television: PBS
PBS was created by CPB in 1969 to operate and manage a nationwide (now satellite) program
distribution system interconnecting all the local public television stations, and to provide a
distribution channel for national programs to those public television stations. Although PBS does
not produce programs for its members, it aggregates funding for the creation and acquisition of
programs by and for the stations, and distributes programs through its satellite distribution
system. Paula Kerger became the sixth and current president and CEO of PBS in March 2006.
Public Radio: NPR and PRI
For radio, a different division of responsibilities was established. CPB created National Public
Radio (NPR) in 1970 as a news-gathering, production, and program-distribution company
governed by its member public radio stations. Unlike its public television counterpart, NPR is
authorized to produce radio programs for its members as well as to provide, acquire, and
distribute radio programming through its satellite program distribution system. The NPR
FoundationNPR Inc., located
in Washington, DC, provides these administrative operations. Public Radio
International (PRI)
was founded in 1983 as an independent, not-for-profit corporation to act as
another distributor of
public radio content, in competition with National Public Radio and other
existing distributors. Vivian Schiller became the current
Joyce Slocum is currently the interim president and CEO of NPR in January
2009.
On October 20, 2010, Juan Williams, a reporter for NPR, was fired by NPR President Vivian
Schillernews analyst working as an independent contractor
reporter for NPR, was fired by executives in the office of NPR News for comments Mr. Williams
made on the Fox News Channel., as well as apparently for previous incidents that violated the
terms of Mr. Williams’s contract.4 In an appearance on The
O’Reilly Factor show, Mr. Williams
stated that he gets “nervous” when he sees someone in
“Muslim garb” on an airplane. Two days
after his appearance, Mr. Williams was notified by
telephone that his contract with NPR was
being terminated. In a memorandum to NPR staff on
October 24, 2010, Ms. Schiller stated that she failed to both properly inform Mr. Williams and
NPR staff of the move. However, Ms. Schiller also stated that Mr. Williams’ comment was just
Vivian Schiller, then
President and chief executive at NPR, stated that she “regrets that NPR executives did not meet
with (Mr.) Williams in person to discuss the situation.” In addition, Ms. Schiller also stated that
Mr. Williams’s comment was just the most recent in a series of objectionable remarks Mr.
Williams has made while offering
commentary on Fox News.4 Almost immediately, there was a strong reaction from some among
the media and public about the process and fairness of this firing. This in turn has raised questions
about any federal funding that supports NPR policies and programs.
In response, some policymakers are revisiting the issue of whether federal appropriations should
continue to support any part of the public broadcasting system. They are addressing the overall
federal appropriations for CPB (discussed below), as well as any direct funding the NPR
3
Corporation for Public Broadcasting, “The Corporation for Public Broadcasting and PBS Receive Ready To Learn
Grant Funding from the U.S. Department of Education,” press release, October 15, 2010, http://www.cpb.org/
pressroom/release.php?prn=840.
4
Mark Memmott and David Folkenflik, NPR CEO Apologizes for Handling of Williams’ Termination, NPR,
Washington, DC, October 25, 2010, 5 pages, http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/10/25/130805049.
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Foundation receives from federal sources. In both FY2009 and FY2010, while CPB distributed
grant money to over 600 public radio stations, NPR also directly received $8 million designated
for “special projects” ($3.9 million in FY2009 and $4.1 million in FY2010).5 In addition, there
appears to be at least another source of federal funding for NPR. The NPR Foundation, which
oversees the NPR system, states that annually NPR receives direct funding in the range of $1.5
million to $3 million from three federal agencies and CPB, and that this funding accounts for less
than 2% of its annual budget. In FY2009 the NPR Foundation received $1.6 million and in
FY2010, $2.5 million. The sources of this funding are the National Endowment of the Arts, CPB,
the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration,
and the Department of Education. 6
Federal Funding
The Obama Administration requested a $460 million appropriation for CPB in its FY2011 budget
request (which would be implemented in FY2013). The vehicle that is used to provide
appropriations to the CPB is the Departments of Labor-Health and Human Services-Education
bill. For FY2011, S. 3686 has been reported out of the Senate Appropriations Committee (S.Rept.
111-243, July 29, 2010). In this bill, the Senate committee agreed with President Obama’s request
for $460 million for FY2013. No further action in either the House or Senate has been taken on
this bill to date. On September 30, 2010, Congress passed a Continuing Appropriations bill to
extend federal funding for all programs through December 3, 2010.
Since CPB has a two-year advanced appropriation, both the FY2011 and FY2012 appropriations
for CPB have already been approved (in FY2009 and FY2010, respectively). For FY2011, the
CPB will receive $430 million, and for FY2012 it will receive $445 million.
From 2001-2008, the Bush Administration had requested that the advanced appropriations for
CPB end. Congress did not support this request. The Bush Administration also requested that
some funding from CPB’s enacted appropriations be made available for digital conversion grants
to public television broadcasters, to which Congress agreed. Since 2009, the Obama
Administration has proposed and supported increased funding for CPB through the two-year
advanced appropriations.
From the last year of available information, the U.S. public broadcasting system – comprised of
the national public radio and television stations—reported total income of $2.85 billion in
FY2008.7 This decision was supported by the
leadership of NPR news.5 However, almost immediately there was a strong reaction from some
3
Corporation for Public Broadcasting, “The Corporation for Public Broadcasting and PBS Receive Ready To Learn
Grant Funding from the U.S. Department of Education,” press release, October 15, 2010, http://www.cpb.org/
pressroom/release.php?prn=840.
4
Mike Riksen, Vice President, Policy & Representation, letter to the Congressional Research Service, December 6,
2010. p. 1.
5
Ibid., and as cited at http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/10/25/130805049/npr-ceo-apologizes-for-handlingof-williams-termination. Information on NPR’s code of ethics may be viewed at http://www.npt.org/about/aboutnpr/
ethics/. Last viewed December 23, 2010.
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among the media and public about the process and fairness of this firing. This in turn has raised
questions about any federal funding that supports NPR policies and programs.
On January 6, 2011, NPR Inc. announced that its board of directors had accepted several
recommendations to provide greater clarity and transparency for its code of ethics regarding NPR
employees. These include reviewing and updating of policies and training with respect to the role
of NPR journalists appearing on other media outlets, reviewing and defining their roles (including
those of news analysts) in a changing news environment, and encouraging a broad range of
viewpoints to reflect the diversity of NPR’s national audiences. At the same time these
recommendations were announced, Ellen Weiss, vice president of news for NPR, resigned; it was
also announced that Ms. Schiller would not receive a bonus for 2010. On March 9, 2011, Vivian
Schiller resigned as President and CEO of NPR, over continued scruitny and criticism over NPRs
handling of an incident regarding Ronald Schiller (no relation) in a taped interview.
In response, some policymakers are revisiting the issue of whether federal appropriations should
continue to support any part of the public broadcasting system. They are addressing the overall
federal appropriations for CPB (discussed below), as well as any direct funding the NPR
Foundation receives from federal sources. H.R. 68 and H.R. 69 (Representative Lamborn, and
discussed more fully later in this report) were introduced on January 5, 2010. These bills would
eliminate federal appropriations for NPR and CPB, respectively, in FY2013. In addition, the fifth
CR for FY2011, passed by the House on February 19, 2011, does not include funding for CPB.
In both FY2009 and FY2010, while CPB distributed grant money to over 600 public radio
stations, NPR also directly received $4.3 million designated for “special projects” ($1.6 million in
FY2009 and $2.7 million in FY2010).6 In addition, there appears to be at least another source of
federal funding for NPR. NPR Inc., which oversees the NPR system, states that annually NPR
receives direct funding in the range of $1.5 million to $3 million from three federal agencies and
CPB, and that this funding accounts for less than 2% of its annual budget. In FY2009 NPR Inc.
received $1.6 million and in FY2010, $2.5 million. The sources of this funding are the National
Endowment of the Arts, CPB, the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and
Information Administration, and the Department of Education.7
Federal Funding
The Obama Administration requested a $451 million appropriation for CPB in its FY2012 budget
request (which would be implemented in FY2014). The vehicle that is used to provide
appropriations to the CPB is the Departments of Labor-Health and Human Services-Education
bill. However, because of the delay in approving federal funding for all agencies in FY2011, to
date there has not been a bill introduced that would provide appropriations for the Departments of
Labor-Health and Human Services-Education for FY2012. For FY2011, S. 3686 was reported out
6
Also described by NPR as “occasional projects.” It is important to note that the original numbers provided to CRS
were $3.9 million in FY2009 and $4.1 million in FY2010, for a total of $8 million. Telephone Conversation, Office of
Congressional Affairs, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, October 21, 2010. The purpose of these grants were to
develop HD radio technology for those who are “print- and hearing-impaired”; to distribute next generation public
broadcasting technology to individual stations; to support collaborations between public radio and public broadcasting
stations for content related to news events of 2008 and 2009; and for other projects. Mike Riksen, Vice President,
Policy & Representation, letter to the Congressional Research Service, December 6, 2010. p. 2.
7
Personal Communication, Anna Christopher, Communications Office, NPR, October 26, 2010.
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of the Senate Appropriations Committee (S.Rept. 111-243, July 29, 2010). In this bill, the Senate
committee agreed with President Obama’s request for $460 million for FY2013. The subsequent
eighth, and final, FY2011 CR of April 15, 2011, maintained CPB’s funding.
From the last year of available information, the U.S. public broadcasting system—comprised of
the national public radio and television stations—reported total income of $2.85 billion in
FY2008.8 According to the CPB, for public broadcasting revenue by source, CPB funds made up
13.8% of the total; another 2.6% came from federal grants and contracts. The remaining 83.6%
was raised from non-federal sources (including individuals, businesses, foundations, state and
local governments, and educational institutions). The largest single income source (24.6% in
FY2008) came from membership.
5
Also described by NPR as “occasional projects.” It appears that these are content and broadcasting projects that will
be made for distribution to public radio stations. Telephone Conversation, Office of Congressional Affairs, Corporation
for Public Broadcasting, October 21, 2010.
6
Personal Communication, Anna Christopher, Communications Office, NPR, October 26, 2010.
7
http://www.cpb.org/stations/reports/revenue/2008PublicBroadcastingRevenue.pdf
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Of the majority of federal
Federal appropriations which go through CPB to the individual public radio
and television stations; only local public broadcasting stations receive these generally unrestricted
federal funds directly. For NPR-affiliated stations and television
stations generally are designated as unrestricted federal funds. For those public radio stations
which applied for grants, the amount of grants awarded by CPB totaled
$62.3 million in FY2009
and $65 million in FY2010. However, member stations also pay NPR
fees for content and
programming; some contend that federal grant money is supporting part of
the revenue streams back to NPR Foundation.
For some, the Juan Williams firing highlighted the issue of funding that the NPR receives from
federal sources. As stated above, public radio stations which make up the NPR network can apply
for CPB grants, and the amount of these grants totaled $62.3 million in FY2009 and $65 million
in FY2010. Within these two amounts, $8 million was provided directly to the NPR Foundation
for “special projects” ($3.9 million in FY2009 and $4.1 million in FY2010). In addition, between
$1.5 million and $3 million has been provided directly to the NPR Foundation on an annual basis
($1.6 million in FY2009 and $2.5 million in FY2010). Some contend that because public radio
stations also pay licensing fees to NPR for content and programming, and that many public radio
stations are receiving CPB grants, that this may also be an indirect federal revenue stream to
NPR
back to NPR Inc.
A history of CPB appropriations is presented in Table 1. Additional information on both NPR and
PBS funding may be obtained at their respective websites ( http://www.npr.org and
http://wwwww.pbs.org, respectively).
Table 1. CPB Federal Appropriations
($ in millions)
Fiscal Year
8
Administration
Request
House
Appropriation
Senate
Appropriation
Final
Appropriation
1969
$9
a
$6
$5
1970
$15
a
$15
$15
1971
$22
a
$27
$23
1972
$35
$35
$35
$35
1973
$45
$45
$45
$35
1974
$45
a
$55
$50
1975
$60
$60
$65
$62
1976
$70
$78.5
$78.5
$78.5
TQb
$17
$17.5
$17.5
$17.5
1977
$70
$96.7
1978
$80
1979
$90
1980
1981
$103
$103
$107.1
$121.1
$119.2
$120.2
$140
$120.2
$120
$145
$172
$152
1981
$162
$162
$162
$162
1982
$172
$172
$172
$172
1983
$172
$172
$172
$137
1984
$110
$110
$130
$137.5http://www.cpb.org/stations/reports/revenue/2008PublicBroadcastingRevenue.pdf.
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Fiscal Year
Administration
Request
House
Appropriation
Senate
Appropriation
Final
Appropriation
1982
$172
$172
$172
$172
1983
$172
$172
$172
$137
1984
$110
$110
$130
$137.5
1985
$85
$130
$130
$150.5
1986
$75
$130
$130
$159.5
1987
$186
a
$238
$200
1988
$214
a
$214
$214
1989
$214
$214
$238
$228
1990
$214
$238
$248
$229.4c
1991
$214
a
$302.5d
$298.9d
1992
$242.1
$314.1d
$340.5d
$327.3d
1993
$306.5d
$306.5d
$341.9
$318.6d
1994
$260
$253.3
$284
$275
1995
$275
$271.6
$310
$285.6
1996
$292.6
$292.6
1997
$320
$275
$292.6
a
$330
$260
1998
$296.4
$240
$260
$250
1999
$275
$250
$250
$250
2000
$325
$300
$300
$300
2001
$340
$340
$340
$340
2002
$350
$340
$350
$350
2003
$365
$365
$365
$362.8
2004
e
$365
$395
$377.8
2005
e
$380
$395
$386.8f
2006
e, g
$335
$400
$396h
2007
e, g
$400
$400
$400
2008
e, g
$400
$400
$393i
2009
e, g
None
$400
$400
2010
e, g
$420
$420
$420
2011
e
$430
$430
$430
2012
$440
$440
$450
$445
2013
$460445j
—
—
$445k
2014
$451j
—
—
—
Source: Compiled by the Congressional Research Service from information from the Corporation for Public
Broadcasting. (http://www.cpb.org).
a.
Allowance not included in House Bill because of lack of authorizing legislation.
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b.
Transition Quarter funding, during which federal budget year changed from July to September.
c.
Reduced FY1990 by Sequestration.
d.
Includes funds appropriated for the Satellite Replacement Fund.
e.
From FY2002-FY2011, the Bush Administration declined to request two-year advance funding for CPB.
Similarly, the President’s budget request did not provide separate funding for digital or, where applicable,
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interconnection replacement, but would have permitted CPB to use a portion of its general appropriation
to fund both.
f.
FY2005 funding ($390 million) reduced by 0.80% across-the-board rescission in P.L. 108-447.
g.
From FY2006-FY2010, the Bush Administration proposed rescissions to CPB’s already-enacted two-year
advanced funding. The proposed rescissions: $10 million from FY2006; $53.5 million from FY2007; $50
million from FY2008; $200 million from FY2009 and $220 million from FY2010.
h.
FY2006 funding ($400 million) reduced by 1% across-the-board rescission in P.L. 109-148.
i.
FY2008 funding ($400 million) reduced by 1.747% across-the-board rescission in P.L. 110-161.
Issues
In an age of multiple cable channel options, digital radio, and computerized digital streaming,
some ask whether there is a need for a federally supported national broadcasting system.
Supporters of public broadcasting argue that public radio and television broadcasters, free of
commercial interruption, provide perhaps the last bastion of balanced and objective information,
news, children’s education, and entertainment in an era of a changing media landscape. Others
contend that public broadcasting has lost much of its early impact since the media choices have
grown so much over the last several decades and that the federal role in public broadcasting
should be re-evaluated as well.
j.
Fiscal Year 2012 Appendix Budget of the U.S. Government.
k.
P.L. 112-10 Senate Committee on Appropriations FY 2011 CR: Labor, HHS, Education Summary.
Legislative Activity
Current legislative interest and activity regarding federal funding for CPB dates from the end of
the 111th Congress through the first session of the 112th Congress. During the 111th Congress,
Representative Lamborn (CO) introduced H.R. 5538, a bill that would eliminate federal funding
for CPB after FY2012.9 This bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
During the “lame duck” period of the 111th Congress in November, 2010, Representative
Lamborn sought to have his bill considered for floor action in the House, but this action was
defeated by a vote of 239-171. In response, Representative Earl Blumenauer (OR) defended
public broadcasting by stating that “National Public Radio is one of the few areas where the
American public can actually get balanced information.”10
On January 5, 2011, Representative Lamborn introduced H.R. 68 (To amend the Communications
Act of 1934 to prohibit Federal funding for the Corporation of Public Broadcasting after FY2013)
and H.R. 69 (To prohibit Federal funding of certain public radio programming, to provide for the
transfer of certain public debt, and for other purposes). The first bill, like its predecessor H.R.
5538, would eliminate federal appropriations for CPB when its two-year advanced funding ends.
The second bill would prohibit federal funding to organizations incorporated for specified
purposes related to (1) broadcasting, transmitting, and programming over noncommercial
educational radio broadcast stations, networks, and systems; (2) cooperating with foreign
broadcasting systems and networks in international radio programming and broadcasting; (3)
assisting and supporting such noncommercial educational radio broadcasting pursuant to the
Public Broadcasting Act of 1967; or (4) acquiring radio programs from such organizations. In
effect, it would prohibit any individual public radio station from using federal funding to engage
in transactions with NPR Inc. Both bills have been referred to the House Committee on Energy
and Commerce.
9
Full title: “To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit Federal funding for the Corporation for Public
Broadcasting after fiscal year 2012.”
10
Frances Symes, CQ Today Online News, “House Rejects GOP Bid to Reduce Federal Funding for NPR and Local
Stations.” http://www.cq.com/doc/news.
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On January 11, NPR Inc. responded to the two bills by stating, in part: “The proposal to prohibit
public radio stations from using CPB grants to purchase NPR programming interjects federal
authority into local station program decision-making. Furthermore, restrictions on the authority of
CPB—a Congressionally chartered, independent, non-profit organization—to make competitive
grants to NPR, or any other public broadcasting entity, is misguided.”11
On January 7, Representative Kevin Brady introduced H.R. 235 (Cut Unsustainable and TopHeavy Spending Act of 2011 or the CUTS ACT), which provides that all unobligated balances
held by the CPB that consists of federal funds are rescinded and no federal funds appropriated
hereafter shall be obligated or expended.
On January 24, 2011, Representative Jim Jordan introduced H.R. 408 (Spending Reduction Act of
2011), which would reduce federal spending by $2.5 trillion through FY2021 in part by
eliminating the CPB.
On January 26, 2011, Senator Rand Paul introduced S. 162 (Cut Federal Spending Act of 2011),
which would cut $500 billion in spending in FY2011 in part by defunding the CPB.
On March 15, 2011, Representative Lamborn introduced H.R. 1076, a bill to prohibit the funding
of National Public Radio and restrict the use of federal funds for member stations to acquire NPR
broadcasting content. The House Rules Committee passed H.Res. 174, which permitted H.R.
1076 to go directly to the floor and, without any points of order or amendments, be open to one
hour of debate before a full vote in the House of Representatives. H.R. 1076 passed the House
228-192, and was referred to the Senate. No further action has been taken on this bill.
Other proposals in the 112th Congress have also addressed federal funding for public
broadcasting. On January 20, 2011, the Republican Study Group, a conservative caucus
comprised of 100 Members of Congress, released its list of proposed budget cuts, including
elimination of CPB’s appropriations starting in FY2012. At the same time, Representative Ryan
(WI), the chairman of the House Committee on the Budget for the 112th Congress, has proposed a
new continuing resolution that would set the rest of the FY2011 budget at FY2008 (excluding
defense, homeland security, and veterans programs).
Issues
In an age of multiple cable channel options, digital radio, and computerized digital streaming,
some ask whether there is a need for federal appropriations to support public broadcasting. The
array of commercial all-news radio and radio talk shows, many of which are also streamed on the
Internet, provides sources of news and opinion. Supporters of public broadcasting argue that
public radio and television broadcasters, free of commercial interruption, provide perhaps the last
bastion of balanced and objective information, news, children’s education, and entertainment in
an era of a changing media landscape. Still, others contend that public broadcasting has lost much
of its early impact since the media choices have grown so much over the last several decades and
that the federal role in public broadcasting should be re-evaluated as well.
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NPR Statement Regarding Proposed Legislation, H.R. 68/69, NPR., Inc., Washington, DC, January 11, 2011.
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Supporters of public broadcasting contend that public radio and public television provide
education and news to many underserved parts of the American population. Public broadcasters
may provide this service to an underserved and less commercially attractive population that
commercial broadcasters do not address. For example, PBS broadcasting for children includes
lessons in reading, counting, and spelling as part of its content, subjects not normally found on
commercial broadcasts.
Among the more significant issues facing policymakers may be whether federal funding for
public broadcasting should be continued at its current level; whether the funding should be
modified or reduced; whether the arrangement between the federal funding process and public
broadcasting should be changed; or whether federal funding for public broadcasting should be
eliminated. While most federal appropriations go through CPB to support member stations of
NPR, PRI, PBS, and a small number of independent affiliates, the handling of the Juan Williams
firing from NPR has raised concerns of the federal role in public broadcasting. Since according to
NPR, federal funding to supplement administrative functions amounts to less than 2% of its
annual budget, some may question whether such a small amount is worthy of congressional
action to eliminate. But others contend that the relatively small amount of money that is allocated
to NPR functions is proof that NPR can provide operational support without any federal role.
Independent of the recent controversy regarding NPR, over the last several years some in
Congress have questioned whether the federal appropriations for CPB should be reduced or
eliminated as well. Underlying this position are concerns that the federal role, once so clear in
1967, has been eclipsed in a multi-media Internet age; concerns that the size and scope of the
federal government budget deficit requires significant cutbacks in many areas; and allegations
that public broadcasting is not objective, balanced According to NPR Inc., approximately 90% of public radio stations
provide local newscasts, airing both newscast and non-newscast content (primarily in weekday
drive times and especially during morning drive-time). Again citing NPR, about half of all public
radio stations carry local news during the weekends, and 74% of stations are producing and
inserting stories into their programming.
Still, several important issues are facing congressional policymakers as they address federal
appropriations for all forms of public broadcasting. On the most fundamental level, many
question the 1967 law that created the national public broadcasting system and whether the
federal government should be in the “business” of providing general appropriations to CPB every
year since 1969. They ask: is this still a relevant and appropriate role of the federal government?
On a second level, some may contend that in an era of spiraling federal deficits, in which many (if
not all) federal expenditures are being re-examined, appropriations for CPB should be reduced if
not eliminated. These questions revolve around whether federal funding for public broadcasting
should be continued at its current level; whether the funding should be modified or reduced;
whether the arrangement between the federal funding process and public broadcasting should be
changed; or whether federal funding for public broadcasting should be eliminated. While most
federal appropriations go through CPB to directly support member stations of NPR, PRI, PBS,
and a small number of independent affiliates, the handling of the Juan Williams firing from NPR
has raised concerns of the federal role in public broadcasting.
Still, public broadcasting retains its strong supporters. Since according to NPR, federal funding to
supplement administrative functions amounts to less than 2% of its annual budget, some may
question whether such a small amount is worthy of congressional action to eliminate. Independent
of the recent controversy regarding NPR, over the last several years some in Congress have
questioned whether the federal appropriations for CPB should be reduced or eliminated as well.
Underlying this position are concerns that the federal role, once so clear in 1967, has been
eclipsed in a multi-media Internet age; concerns that the size and scope of the federal government
budget deficit requires significant cutbacks in many areas; and allegations that public
broadcasting is not objective, balanced, or free of an ideological slant.
As indicated in Table 1, CPB has consistently received increasing federal appropriations since
1969. Some would contend that this demonstrates a general consensus among congressional
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policymakers that there is a federal role in public broadcasting. In addition, public support of
public radio and television broadcasting generally has been consistent as well. Whether the firing
of Mr. Williams from NPR will substantively or permanently change this support is unclear.
The issue of federal support for public broadcasting may be addressed during the “lame duck”
session of the 111th Congress, as well as into the 112th Congress.Supporters of a
public broadcasting network system contend that local programming content is not determined by
NPR Inc., or PBS, and that most content is local serving community needs. Balanced against
concerns about the role of the federal government in public broadcasting, as well as strong
pressure to reduced federal spending, these issues will likely be addressed at length during the
112th Congress.
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Author Contact Information
Glenn J. McLoughlin
Section Research Manager
gmcloughlin@crs.loc.gov, 7-7073
Congressional Research Service
Mark Gurevitz
Information Research Specialist
mgurevitz@crs.loc.gov, 7-7204
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