Why Conservatives Hate NPR and PBS

Ever since the 1980s (and it‘s been getting steadily worse), the commercial news media have been dedicated to one thing: attracting the maximum number of listeners and advertisers. News is just a by-product. There are millions of viewers who don’t have two brain cells to rub together, and needless to say, they’re not looking for journalism and analytical reporting.

Who cares about derivatives and subprime mortgages (whatever those big words mean)? We want to know about Charlie Sheen! Prince Andrew! Lindsey Lohan!

Corporate powerbrokers and rightwing demagogues are perfectly happy with this arrangement. They may pretend they’re outraged at the “liberal” media, but mostly they’re just relieved at the tiny amount of real news that gets reported. It makes their agenda so much easier if millions of sheeple are just sitting there mesmerized by the celebutante gossip that passes for “news.”

Meanwhile, NPR and PBS are actually hiring more journalists. They’re spending millions of dollars on investigative news. Just as old-fashioned newspapers and radio/TV stations used to do, NPR and PBS are still scrutinizing business and government officials and holding them accountable to the public. Can’t have that now, can we?

PBS President Paula Kerger said:

“Where the marketplace is unable to serve, that's the role of public media. PBS exists to serve the people, not to sell them.”

No wonder they’re on the chopping block. Every time congressional Philistines are looking for ways to cut spending, public broadcasting is right up there along with schools, libraries, public health services, highway and mass transit funding.

And this resonates just fine with dimwitted GOP voters. “I don’t want my tax dollars going to something I never listen to ‘cause they use too many big words.”