Reflections

The Story of Public Broadcasting in the United States: Brought to you by Maine Public, With a Disclaimer

Episode Summary

In the United States, public broadcasting is anchored by NPR, PBS and other household names, which are currently fighting significant battles to stay alive. Kelly MacDonald reached out to Maine Public, a state-wide broadcaster out of Maine, to learn more about the current media landscape, and public broadcasting's place within it. Recent funding cuts to The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the entity which historically oversaw federal funding for public media, has led to the official dissolution of this organization. What does this mean for Maine Public, and the picture of public broadcasting? Through the voices of Maine Public's President and CEO, Rick Schneider, and Chief Programming Officer Susan Tran, we hear about community support, funding realities, systematic challenges, and the educational reputation behind public broadcasting. Sprinkled through the show are the voices of Bill Burgess, Melissa LaCasse, and Mark Jablonowski with their testimonials in favour of the fight to keep public broadcasting alive.

Episode Notes

In the United States, public broadcasting is anchored by NPR, PBS and other household names, which are currently fighting significant battles to stay alive. Kelly MacDonald reached out to Maine Public, a state-wide broadcaster out of Maine, to learn more about the current media landscape, and public broadcasting's place within it.

Recent funding cuts to The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the entity which historically oversaw federal funding for public media, has led to the official dissolution of this organization.

What does this mean for Maine Public, and the picture of public broadcasting?

Through the voices of Maine Public's President and CEO, Rick Schneider, and Chief Programming Officer Susan Tran, we hear about community support, funding realities, systematic challenges, and the educational reputation behind public broadcasting.

Sprinkled through the show are the voices of Bill Burgess, Melissa LaCasse, and Mark Jablonowski with their testimonials in favour of the fight to keep public broadcasting alive.