Should we "defund" NPR?

[LiberalPrincess]

I for one do realize that NPR gets about 2% in direct funding from us, which IMO is still too much. However they are indirectly funded by our hard earned money none the less. Research it, and you'll get the whole story. They are indirectly funded by our tax dollars that the member stations receive and in turn pay NPR for programing.

This is incorrect. NPR gets zero direct funding. The two percent is from grants. As for your hard earned tax dollars going to those other organizations, exactly how much do you think that is? Try this: http://taxes.kareemshaya.com/

 

[We_Love_Disney]

Do people realize just how much funding the government provides for entities that they should not? NPR at the least provides some real information and enlightening stories.

Imagine being a farmer and being paid NOT to do your job? Happens all the time. That is the tip of the iceberg.

If we are going to get all up in arms about what one guy said about his own feelings and pull the plug on NPR then we really ought to investigate where else our $$$ is going to and start complaining about that too.

Knee jerk reactions never help any situation.

 

[jodifla]

How did he harm the reputation of his employer? He didn't appear on FOX as an employee of NPR, he appeared as Juan Williams. And gave his opinion on the subject.

If I go on TV and say muslims scare me, my employer does not have the right to fire me for that.

First of all, in right to work states, your employer can fire you for whatever reason they want. Or no reason at all. In the news in Michigan, a husband was just fired by his company for what his WIFE did (harassing the neighbors).

And when you work for a news organization, as I have for about 30 years, there are often multiple requirements, among them: Anything you write or produce belongs first TO THE COMPANY; you must have permission to freelance or appear on other programs. Many new organizations prohibit any type of political involvement, including joining campaigns, having campaign signs on your lawns, or even donating to political parties. You can't cover what you're involved with, UNLESS you disclose it....and the list goes on and on of proper behavior.

I have mixed feelings on the firing....but NPR was certainly within its rights.

 

[Magicbus]

This is incorrect. NPR gets zero direct funding. The two percent is from grants. As for your hard earned tax dollars going to those other organizations, exactly how much do you think that is?

Yes, grants from CPB and the National Endowments of the Arts. Where does that money come from?
Congress appropriated a special three-year, $78 million funds specifically for NPR. This funding stream gave NPR $26 million per year in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Even if it's only one penny of my money, it's too much.

 

[LiberalPrincess]

Yes, grants from CPB and the National Endowments of the Arts. Where does that money come from?
Congress appropriated a special three-year, $78 million funds specifically for NPR. This funding stream gave NPR $26 million per year in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Even if it's only one penny of my money, it's too much.

And I don't want to pay more than 12 times my arts dollars to support Amtrak. And more than 200 times my arts money to farm subsidies. I would rather all of that money go to the arts. But, that is not the way the tax system works, we can't pick and choose. Stinks for me, but that is the way it goes.

 

[ManMythLegend]

And I don't want to pay more than 12 times my arts dollars to support Amtrak. And more than 200 times my arts money to farm subsidies. I would rather all of that money go to the arts. But, that is not the way the tax system works, we can't pick and choose. Stinks for me, but that is the way it goes.

That's your opinion.

 

[Magicbus]

And I don't want to pay more than 12 times my arts dollars to support Amtrak. And more than 200 times my arts money to farm subsidies. I would rather all of that money go to the arts. But, that is not the way the tax system works, we can't pick and choose. Stinks for me, but that is the way it goes.

We are in total agreement on the first two sentences. See, we have some common ground.

 

[Geoff_M]

No, that's not the case, as you point out later in that paragraph: A fine point.

You said "An employer taking action against an employee for besmirching the reputation of the employer is not a reasonable foundation for any action against the employer." That's all well and fine, but again, that's NOT why Williams was fired. Forgive me, but I'll take the word of the person that actually fired him over your extrapolation of the basis for his release from employment. From the facts in evidence, he was fired for violating the "policy" of expressing a personal position on a "controversial" subject.

 

[bicker]

I also said other things. See later in the thread.

 

[gonzo76]

He is guaranteed freedom of speech, not continued freedom to be employed.

They changed his status from "reporter" to "analyst." They also made him an independent contractor rather than an employee of NPR. After he called the First Lady 'Stokley Carmichael in a designer dress,' they asked him to no longer be identified with NPR when he appears on Fox. They have been trying to increase the distance for several years now. While I don't agree with the firing. NPR has the right to do so. He broke his contract.

Taking funding away is a totally different issue. It has no bearing

 

[Geoff_M]

NPR has the right to do so. He broke his contract.

I don't think anyone is asserting that NPR didn't have a "right" to fire Williams. The real question is the justification and the apparent fact that at NPR some "controversial subjects" are more equal than others when applying the policy.

Also as an after-effect, it appears that pressure may now be applied to NPR to have Mara Liasson sever her relationship with a certain #1 cable news network lest she be "Williamsed".

 

[gonzo76]

I don't think anyone is asserting that NPR didn't have a "right" to fire Williams. The real question is the justification and the apparent fact that at NPR some "controversial subjects" are more equal than others when applying the policy.

Also as an after-effect, it appears that pressure may now be applied to NPR to have Mara Liasson sever her relationship with a certain #1 cable news network lest she be "Williamsed".

I thought the question was should funding be taken away from NPR because of the recent firing of Juan Williams. There was nothing in the OP that mention anything of the sort.

To tell you the truth, I think the question is silly. Whether I believe NPR is funded directly or indirectly and if it should be taken away has no bearing on the situation. NPR fired him for breach of contract. The question is an apples and oranges question.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

Yes.

 

[WeCantWait]

Actually, CNN beats Fox News by something like 10 million viewers. When you separate out non-news opinion shows, the gap gets considerably greater. It should also be noted that CNN runs two news networks. If you were to add in HLN's news watchers/listeners, the gap would grow that much larger.

BTW, MSNBC has more viewers than FOX News, also.

Here's the takeaway: Just because Fox News tells you something, doesn't mean it is true.

That is not true at all.

 

[gonzo76]

Of course there is. Trying to shut up anybody that does not support the far left agenda. Fact is that Fox ratings far outnumber those of MSNBC and CNN put together.

I will never understand this statement. So what if FOX has higher ratings? Does it mean they are always right? It sounds like "mines bigger than yours". It is rather childish. I don't watch any of them. I get my news else where.

 

[rie'smom]

That is not true at all.

You're right:

P2+ Total Day
FNC – 1,275,000 viewers
CNN – 399,000 viewers
MSNBC – 427,000 viewers
CNBC – 161,000 viewers
HLN – 264,000 viewers

P2+ Prime Time
FNC – 2,591,000 viewers
CNN – 595000 viewers
MSNBC –921,000 viewers
CNBC – 125,000 viewers
HLN – 572,000 viewers

25-54 Total Day
FNC –333,000 viewers
CNN –121,000 viewers
MSNBC –134,000 viewers
CNBC – a scratch w/40,000 viewers
HLN – 109,000 viewers

25-54 Prime Time
FNC – 628,000 viewers
CNN – 193,000 viewers
MSNBC –277,000 viewers
CNBC – a scratch w/52,000 viewers
HLN – 188,000 viewers

35-64 Total Day
FNC – 583,000 viewers
CNN – 177,000 viewers
MSNBC – 209,000 viewers
CNBC – 84,000 viewers
HLN – 142,000 viewers

35-64 Prime Time
FNC –1,209,000 viewers
CNN – 257,000 viewers
MSNBC –438,000 viewers
CNBC – 64,000 viewers
HLN –275,000 viewers

Morning programs (6:00AM-9:00AM) P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
FOX & Friends- 1,010,000 viewers (343,000) (539,000)
American Morning- 234,000 viewers (97,000) (119,000)
Morning Joe- 336,000 viewers (134,000) (187,000)
Squawk Box- 113,000 viewers (42,000) (80,000)
Morning Express w/ Meade- 321,000 viewers (173,000) (194,000)

5PM – P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
Glenn Beck – 2,060,000 viewers (467,000) (937,000)
Situation Room—550,000 viewers (155,000) (243,000)
Hardball w/ C. Matthews – 571,000 viewers (166,000) (282,000)
Fast Money–189,000 viewers (a scratch w/23,000) (78,000)
Showbiz Tonight — a scratch w/ 113,000 viewers (a scratch w/ 40,000) (a scratch w/ 49,000)

6PM – P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
Special Report w/ Bret Baier – 1,966,000 viewers (353,000) (797,000)
Situation Room—482,000 viewers (134,000) (199,000)
Ed Show —777,000 viewers (193,000) (378,000)
Mad Money —160,000 viewers (a scratch w/ 46,000) (94,000)
Prime News – 155,000 viewers (a scratch w/ 46,000) (69,000)

7PM – P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
The Fox Report w/ Shep – 1,651,000 viewers (324,000) (741,000)
John King USA – 445,000 viewers (132,000) (203,000)
Hardball w/ C. Matthews – 709,000 viewers (193,000) (358,000)
Kudlow Report– 146,000 viewers (a scratch w/33,000) (66,000)
Issues – 384,000 viewers (114,000) (164,000)

8PM – P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
The O’Reilly Factor– 3,312,000 viewers (787,000) (1,560,000)
Rick’s List –519,000 viewers (203,000) (254,000)
Countdown w/ K. Olbermann – 1,076,000 viewers (314,000) (505,000)
Prosperity Power: Wash– a scratch w/62,000 viewers (a scratch w/20,000) (a scratch w/24,000)
Nancy Grace – 787,000 viewers (258,000) (344,000)

9 PM – P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
Hannity– 2,381,000 viewers (625,000) (1,128,000)
Larry King Live —540,000 viewers (149,000) (193,000)
Rachel Maddow Show —1,103,000 viewers (337,000) (506,000)
Bio: Enzo Ferrari –129,000 viewers (58,000) (66,000)
Joy Behar – 590,000 viewers (183,000) (309,000)

10 PM P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
On the Record w/ Greta—2,073,000 viewers (471,000) (933,000)
Anderson Cooper 360 — 726,000 viewers (228,000) (324,000)
Countdown w/ K. Olbermann – 584,000 viewers (179,000) (303,000)
American Greed – 184,000 viewers (79,000) (101,000)
Nancy Grace –387,000 viewers (142,000) (192,000)

11 PM P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
The O’Reilly Factor– 1,660,000 viewers (498,000) (838,000)
Anderson Cooper 360 – 422,000 viewers (146,000) (263,000)
Rachel Maddow Show —376,000 viewers (98,000) (203,000)
Mad Money – a scratch w/41,000 viewers (a scratch w/17,000) (a scratch w/26,000)
Showbiz Tonight– 253,000 viewers (75,000) (125,000

 

[WeCantWait]

The part that makes it bigoted is when you assume that all 1.5 billion of them are out to get you.

Nobody is making that assumption. The problem is that there is no way of knowing which ones are out to get us and which ones aren't. Juan Williams expressed a feeling that many BILLIONS of Americans feel. Big deal.

 

[WeCantWait]

You're right:

P2+ Total Day
FNC – 1,275,000 viewers
CNN – 399,000 viewers
MSNBC – 427,000 viewers
CNBC – 161,000 viewers
HLN – 264,000 viewers

P2+ Prime Time
FNC – 2,591,000 viewers
CNN – 595000 viewers
MSNBC –921,000 viewers
CNBC – 125,000 viewers
HLN – 572,000 viewers

25-54 Total Day
FNC –333,000 viewers
CNN –121,000 viewers
MSNBC –134,000 viewers
CNBC – a scratch w/40,000 viewers
HLN – 109,000 viewers

25-54 Prime Time
FNC – 628,000 viewers
CNN – 193,000 viewers
MSNBC –277,000 viewers
CNBC – a scratch w/52,000 viewers
HLN – 188,000 viewers

35-64 Total Day
FNC – 583,000 viewers
CNN – 177,000 viewers
MSNBC – 209,000 viewers
CNBC – 84,000 viewers
HLN – 142,000 viewers

35-64 Prime Time
FNC –1,209,000 viewers
CNN – 257,000 viewers
MSNBC –438,000 viewers
CNBC – 64,000 viewers
HLN –275,000 viewers

Morning programs (6:00AM-9:00AM) P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
FOX & Friends- 1,010,000 viewers (343,000) (539,000)
American Morning- 234,000 viewers (97,000) (119,000)
Morning Joe- 336,000 viewers (134,000) (187,000)
Squawk Box- 113,000 viewers (42,000) (80,000)
Morning Express w/ Meade- 321,000 viewers (173,000) (194,000)

5PM – P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
Glenn Beck – 2,060,000 viewers (467,000) (937,000)
Situation Room—550,000 viewers (155,000) (243,000)
Hardball w/ C. Matthews – 571,000 viewers (166,000) (282,000)
Fast Money–189,000 viewers (a scratch w/23,000) (78,000)
Showbiz Tonight — a scratch w/ 113,000 viewers (a scratch w/ 40,000) (a scratch w/ 49,000)

6PM – P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
Special Report w/ Bret Baier – 1,966,000 viewers (353,000) (797,000)
Situation Room—482,000 viewers (134,000) (199,000)
Ed Show —777,000 viewers (193,000) (378,000)
Mad Money —160,000 viewers (a scratch w/ 46,000) (94,000)
Prime News – 155,000 viewers (a scratch w/ 46,000) (69,000)

7PM – P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
The Fox Report w/ Shep – 1,651,000 viewers (324,000) (741,000)
John King USA – 445,000 viewers (132,000) (203,000)
Hardball w/ C. Matthews – 709,000 viewers (193,000) (358,000)
Kudlow Report– 146,000 viewers (a scratch w/33,000) (66,000)
Issues – 384,000 viewers (114,000) (164,000)

8PM – P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
The O’Reilly Factor– 3,312,000 viewers (787,000) (1,560,000)
Rick’s List –519,000 viewers (203,000) (254,000)
Countdown w/ K. Olbermann – 1,076,000 viewers (314,000) (505,000)
Prosperity Power: Wash– a scratch w/62,000 viewers (a scratch w/20,000) (a scratch w/24,000)
Nancy Grace – 787,000 viewers (258,000) (344,000)

9 PM – P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
Hannity– 2,381,000 viewers (625,000) (1,128,000)
Larry King Live —540,000 viewers (149,000) (193,000)
Rachel Maddow Show —1,103,000 viewers (337,000) (506,000)
Bio: Enzo Ferrari –129,000 viewers (58,000) (66,000)
Joy Behar – 590,000 viewers (183,000) (309,000)

10 PM P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
On the Record w/ Greta—2,073,000 viewers (471,000) (933,000)
Anderson Cooper 360 — 726,000 viewers (228,000) (324,000)
Countdown w/ K. Olbermann – 584,000 viewers (179,000) (303,000)
American Greed – 184,000 viewers (79,000) (101,000)
Nancy Grace –387,000 viewers (142,000) (192,000)

11 PM P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
The O’Reilly Factor– 1,660,000 viewers (498,000) (838,000)
Anderson Cooper 360 – 422,000 viewers (146,000) (263,000)
Rachel Maddow Show —376,000 viewers (98,000) (203,000)
Mad Money – a scratch w/41,000 viewers (a scratch w/17,000) (a scratch w/26,000)
Showbiz Tonight– 253,000 viewers (75,000) (125,000

Thank you for posting the truth.

 

[WeCantWait]

I will never understand this statement. So what if FOX has higher ratings? Does it mean they are always right? It sounds like "mines bigger than yours". It is rather childish. I don't watch any of them. I get my news else where.

No it doesn't mean that FoxNews is always right. It means that the OP who said that FoxNews doesn't have the highest ratings was wrong.

Correcting misinformation is not childish. Your need to say that sure was.

 

[WeCantWait]

Yup. The far left is incredibly scared right now and they should be. Things are about to change.

They sure do seem scared. I am looking forward to some change.