The Public Broadcasting Service is a non-profit television network that broadcast in America. The network’s headquarters is in Virginia and has three hundred and fifty-four member television stations that have a collective ownership. The Public Broadcasting Service is regarded as one of the most prominent television programs provider especially to public television channels in United States of America. However, it should be noted that Public Broadcasting Service is not responsible for all the data and programming activities carried out on public television stations (Handman, 2002). Recently, debates have arisen on the role of government in Public Broadcasting Service and whether the government should continue funding it. As a matter of fact, Public Broadcasting Service is a not for profit organization established specifically to meet broadcasting services to the people. Some scholars have argued that the government should continue funding it because most public television and radio stations are highly educational. It serves to inform and enlighten the people about what happens in their country and around the world. In addition, Public Broadcasting Service enables people to know about their leaders and their progress in developing their nations (Hadman, 2002).
Funding of this broadcasting service helps particularly the rural people who rely on the public and radio stations for information. However, cutting government spending on Public Broadcasting Service is going to save the government on wasteful spending that can be used for development. It will also reduce biased reporting (Edwards, 2005). It means that many government funded public and radio stations would operate on their own, and the tax payer’s money would be utilized in development and security provision. The “Vast Wasteland” speech illustrated how television viewing can be a time waster that can yield negative results (Boddy, 1987). Many citizens oppose the government subsidies on Public Broadcast Service as it promotes time wasting. However, those in support of funding claim that it is highly beneficial as it one of the forms of entertainment. Romney emphasized the fact that funding the broadcast is a waste of public resource, but Obama insisted on its importance thus the need for continued funding. In other countries, one public broadcast is operated and funded by the government while others are only regulated the laws.
In conclusion, my opinion as a taxpayer is that the government should use the taxpayer’s money prudently in provision of effective facilities and services. Since public television is very informative, then the government should continue funding it in order to facilitate efficient delivery of information to the public. As a result, television viewers would be in a position to enjoy the services provided by the government and ensure that there is a proper use of the taxpayer’s money. It also ensures that the citizens check the activities of the government through the information acquired; they can check the activities of their leaders.
References
Boddy, W. F. (1987). From the "golden age" to the "vast wasteland": The struggles over market power and dramatic formats in 1950s television.
Edwards, C. (2005). Downsizing the federal government. Washington, D.C: Cato Institute.
Handman, G. (2002). Video collection development in multi-type libraries: A handbook. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press.
