It will be “a joint initiative to respond to the current federal funding crisis on behalf of public broadcasting,” explains the press release, announcing the creation of a new organization:
the Public Media Association. PMA will be run by National Public Radio and the Association of Public Television Stations.
“NPR is proud to join forces with APTS to make the case for continued federal funding for public broadcasting,” said Vivian Schiller, NPR President and CEO on Tuesday. “The PMA will help public radio and television stations build support in their communities for these essential services.”
This initiative is no surprise. Republicans in the House of Representatives are proposing the elimination of federal support for public broadcasting, although it seems very unlikely that they’ll succeed, given Democratic control of the Senate and the White House. As we reported, the Repubs tried defunding NPR late last year. Now they’re at it again.
The PMA announcement is pretty low key. You’ve got to read the release one-and-a-half times to get the sense of the group’s purpose. The organization will be governed by four radio station and four TV station leaders. APTS CEO Patrick Butler will serve as head.
“He will be in charge of the overall legislative strategy and provide executive leadership for the new, integrated advocacy initiative,” the announcement discloses.
If you are looking for a more immediate way to support NPR/PBS, there’s always the Moveon.org petition, front and center at its web site.
