NPR

I'm an avid NPR listener and I actually donated to one of their pledge drives so I feel I am qualified to give my opinion in regards the value of Public radio and the recent issues surrounding it. Today NPR executive Vivian Shiller quit/was fired over the ambush video of a NPR VP badmouthing the Tea party. As far as I'm concerned the peasants should rejoice. 


First of all, Vivan Shiller is a leftist moron as was this VP caught on video. As per the linked story above, Mrs. Shiller should have been fired over the inappropriate firing of Juan Williams. Neither of them(Vivian and the VP) had any business working for a NPR, nor should anyone who has such strong feelings be working in journalism. It is people like Shiller who provide weight to the feeling by some that NPR is some sort of radio MSNBC, or the Anti Fox.

I listen to/read Fox. According to my browser Fox news is my 3rd most popular visited site. I thing O'Riely and Beck have valuable points of view more often than not. But I also know that Fox has an agenda, Fox is part news, part entertainment, and that Fox isnt appologestic about being that way. For goodness sake, most of the Republican presidential candidates work for Fox. Of course it take sides but as long as you keep that in mind Fox often has got valuable perspectives and packages the news in interesting ways.

NPR programs for the most part I feel truly make an effort to show both sides and just provide reporting. Their topic choices can be things that conservatives wouldnt give coverage too, but thats good thing. We need a public (read "government") news channel because, in my experience driving all over the US, there is only two non local news options for all those people in their cars or at work. You have Fox News and you have Democracy Now(whats left of Air America) and if you are in a major city you get NPR. That means most Americans are getting their news from Fox or a Fox affiliate. For what ever reason there is no viable market alternative. Thats not good because a lot of people see Fox as real unbiased news and thats because they dont have hear anything else.

I dont think the government needs to be in the business of representing the minority (left) side. We need a radio option that people in rural where ever can access that reports all sides. And not just US news but stories from all over the world. Thats what the BBC is great at. I'd be very happy if we could could simlcast the BBC all over America.
 
These idiots have hurt NPR though arguebly is was wounded already since clearly partisan individuals have been at the controls. Congress is now moving to cut all public funding. Whats that going to do? NPR will be more dependent than ever on special interests with big pockets. We need MORE government money in NPR so it doesnt fall into leftist control. America needs a media outlet, THAT EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE  CAN ACCESS FREELY truly dedicated to showing both sides.