By Steve Levy
A federal judge ridiculously ruled this week that federal funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) could not be cut because the diminution of funds would constitute a violation of the companies’ freedom of speech.
This is one of the most absurd decisions from an activist judge we’ve heard in quite a while.
No one is saying that these two entities cannot continue to operate and say whatever they so desire. The Trump administration was merely saying that there is no need in this technological age for taxpayers to continue funding these media outlets.
PBS was created at a time when there was no cable TV or streaming. There were around 10 channels at most and it offered an educational and cultural outlet not attainable through other sources. It was considered a justifiable outlay of public funds.
But this concept has been obsolete for decades. There’s no need to go to taxpayer-funded PBS to watch Sesame Street. There are hundreds of similar programs that parents can tap into at any time.
So the question is, why should our tax dollars go toward propping up public television stations? Let these companies live or die by the market.
If they continue to move forward, they can promote whatever views they so desire, but not on the taxpayer’s dime. Hopefully, this boneheaded decision by this activist judge will be reversed on appeal.