Public Broadcasting History

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, television quickly emerged into a popular and greatly desired entertainment system in America. Although expensive, the television was still found in over fifty million American homes. Socially, the television not only embellished what the time period believed to be the “ideal” family, but the new technology also helped pull women closer to a world vacant of sexism and stereotypes, while also drawing African Americans closer to a society without racism, segregation, and prejudice. As well as social benefits, the television substantially impacted the world of politics by airing the platforms of political candidates and broadcasting important news concerning America. Additionally, the fields of advertising and

Bob Edwards’ Edward Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism is a short biography about the man that established and revolutionized broadcast journalism. Bob Edwards has ample experience in broadcast journalism as a radio news and talk show host for over 30 years (Biography.com). It is no surprise that Edwards takes a particular interest in writing about Edward Murrow since he certainly influenced Edwards’ career in radio news. While he conducted most of his research through secondary sources, he relied heavily on books by close co-workers of Murrow. With that said, Edward Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism is a great streamlined tale of Murrow’s journey from a logger, to an education advocate, to broadcast journalism.

The Public Broadcasting Station, or PBS, is a national, government funded television channel. Many people watch PBS. Others remember it fondly as the channel where they watch Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers, Barney or the Teletubbies (their four most popular shows) as children (Stein).

In the early 1930`s after the splendid 1920`s in America news finally became broadcast on televisions. This advancement in technology, and receiving information faster than before made it an ideal site to spread beliefs. As the entertainment industry was blooming TV shows could sublimely share beliefs on certain aspects in life. Some more frequent than others with politics being near the top of that hierarchy. Along with this in mind on television and talk radio the hosts for the most part are allowed to speak there mind catering democratic values. Therefore, opinions share on both platforms and other places as well, where the public is able to react to it are worthwhile. Since it allows democratic values to continued to evolve on major viewing

The purpose of this paper is to explore the pros and cons of the proposal to eliminate federal funding to The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). In doing so, first we will explore several facets of this issue including first the cost of funding from both a governmental and taxpayer perspective. Secondly, understanding the services provided and the audience served is integral in this discussion. Lastly, we will consider government’s role in media and education. The conversation, however, must start with the history, values, and goals of this organization.

On May 9, 1961 Newton Minow gave a speech known as “Television and the Public Interest” to the convention of the National Association of Broadcasters. He gave this speech after being appointed chairman of the Federal Communications Commision to inform broadcasters that television is in need of higher quality programming for the public interest.

Race Televised: America's BabysitterAt some point in the course of human events, America decided that the television was their Dali Lama, their cultural and spiritual leader. Overlooking its obvious entertainment based purpose, Americans have let the television baby-sit and rear their children. I do not recall a manifesto from the television industry, but society put television in a role it does not have authority in. The only thing television set out to do was provide the passive entertainment American society wants. True, television does not accurately reflect race in America, but it is not the job of the television industry to do so. Too much importance has been put on television to provide guidance and information that American

In this new day and age we are granted with advanced technology that helps every one of us. A major capability that we now have is the capacity to spread information like no other. The television and internet are major sources to access material and influence the masses. The question becomes whether these sources really inform the people, or just put information out that benefits the few. Evening news is where the breaking stories take place and where we can see the difference in channel ideology. Citizens have a right to know what is going on in the country but due to biases we see this fail. This causes televison to poison the electoral system, glorify conflicts, and polarize views.

Independent films bring attention to controversial topics and encourage audiences to challenge assumptions, think critically and in some cases, take action towards initiating change. The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to “use media to educate, inspire, entertain and express the diversity of perspectives. PBS empowers individuals to achieve their potential and strengthens the social, democratic and cultural health of the U.S.” (PBS.org, 2017).

Bringing Canadians Together In 1991, Canada passed the broadcasting act in order to ensure that all media in Canada operates in way that provides unbiased facts to all Canadians. Through this act the Canadian Government ensures that all funds spent on financing public broadcasting in this fine nation goes to further developing our culture, and creating a distinction between Canadian and American ways of life. Public broadcasting see that each dollar spent on Canadian media solidifies a platform for Canadian identity to be built upon, instead of allowing American broadcasters to flow uncompetitive in Canada. By paying for media, the government also allows equal distribution of French language in the fourth estate.

Over the centuries, the media has played a significant role in the shaping of societies across the globe. This is especially true of developed nations where media access is readily available to the average citizen. The media has contributed to the creation of ideologies and ideals within a society. The media has such an effect on social life, that a simple as a news story has the power to shake a nation. Because of this, governments around the world have made it their duty to be active in the regulation and control of media access in their countries. The media however, has quickly become dominated by major mega companies who own numerous television, radio and movie companies both nationally and

Do you think the United States should continue to fund Public Television? From recent knowledge that was given to me, Public television is a Public Broadcasting service to American people. Would you agree,or disagree?

Finally the public television is used as an example to describe the peculiarities of the media and the political economy of the media.

1. What are the major characteristics of the American broadcasting system and what mode of political economy do these characteristics reflect? What events and decisions led to the establishment of this system? And how did the radio networks (NBC, CBS, and ABC) maintain control of the system following the rise of television? Refer to lectures, handouts, and the essay by Michelle Hilmes.

believe they will be able to form their own idealistic views based on what they