The general manager of WVPT, David Mullins, is criticizing Gov. Bob McDonnell’s proposal to eliminate state funding for public broadcasting.
McDonnell has recommended a phase-out of taxpayer funding to the public broadcast service, which would save the state an estimated $4 million by the end of 2013.
Mullins responded to the proposal on Thursday, contending that viewers can find “educational, non-commercial programming that positively impacts the lives of children” only on PBS.
McDonnell is calling for the elimination of state funding for public broadcasting among $191 million in proposed cuts, which the governor says would allow him to fund his priorities, including higher education, transportation and job creation.
Elimination of funding from the state would reduce WVPT’s operating revenues by approximately $611,000, according to Mullins, which is 20 percent of the organization’s budget.
Mullins wrote in the prepared statement: “Allegations by some of ‘liberal bias by Public Television’ are unfair and unsubstantiated.”
WVPT has joined with public television and public radio stations throughout the country to garner support for public broadcasting. A website, www.170millionamericans.org, was created to harness support from viewers.
McDonnell said in a prepared statement on Wednesday that public broadcasting is a “wonderful resource. … However, in our modern media world there are thousands upon thousands of content providers operating in the free market.”
“The decision to eliminate state funding of public broadcasting is driven by the fundamental need to reestablish the proper role of government, and budget accordingly,” McDonnell said.
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