We don't have television here; we have a TV and use it to watch movies but we don't have cable or satellite by choice. About 10 years ago we decided we did not need the constant flow of babble, commercials, talking heads and nonsense that has come to define TV programming. We've been just fine without it.
But we rely on public radio. I know that right away many readers will say, "Oh, that liberal station?" And I agree, the news programming is definitely left-leaning. But it is also in depth, considerate, well-researched and wide-ranging, and there are plenty of far right talk shows for those of that persuasion. For those of us on the more liberal spectrum, public radio is it. That's all we've got. Where else will I hear Celtic music, old-time music, blues, cooking programs, travel shows with Rick Steves, The People's Pharmacy, hilarious quiz shows, Mountain Stage, and on and on? I listen while I cook, clean, paint, garden...pretty much all the time.
Now I am hearing that funding is being pulled from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and I can only hope (and contact my Congressmen!) that it will be reinstated in the budget. For those of us in far-flung regions of the country with limited access to go quality programming that doesn't require driving an hour or more, public broadcasting is a lifeline to culture of all kinds.
Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.
