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6 Criticism
PBS has been the subject of some controversy.
- Some conservatives dislike its perceived liberal bias and its tax-based revenue and have periodically but unsuccessfully attempted to discontinue funding of CPB. Although state and federal sources account for a minority percentage of public television funding, the system remains vulnerable to political pressure.
- Certain liberals dislike how much of its funding comes from corporate sponsorships and some are uncomfortable with shows such as Wall $treet Week which they see as promoting a corporate outlook without any corresponding series featuring opposing views from labor unions.
- Individual programs, particularly those dealing with the subject of homosexuality, have been the targets of organized campaigns by those with opposing views.
- It was founded to provide diversity in programming at a time when all television was broadcast (as opposed to today's coaxial cable or satellite transmission methods) and most communities received only three or four signals. Today most households subscribe to cable TV or have satellite dishes that receive tens or hundreds of signals, including varied educational and children's programs. However, public television proponents insist that the service is intended to provide universal access, particularly to poor and rural viewers. It is also argued that many cable and satellite productions are of lower quality.
- Most stations solicit individual donations by methods including pledge drives or telethons which can disrupt regularly-scheduled programming. Some viewers find this a source of annoyance.
- Criticism by left wing groups has been made at CPB and PBS for making room for conservative commentators Tucker Carlson, a co-host of CNN's Crossfire, and a show with Paul Gigot , an editor of the Wall Street Journal editorial page.
7 New networks
PBS has also begun at least two new TV networks: PBSYou and PBS Kids . Both are available on many digital cable systems, on free-to-air TV via communications satellites [1], as well as via DirecTV direct broadcast satellite. PBSYou is also available on Dish Network.
It is possible now that with the transition to terrestrial digital television broadcasts, both may be available as alternative channels on some local stations in the near future.
8 See also
9 External links
Publicly-funded broadcasters
PBS television network
