[BC] Public radio vs commercial radio

[Douglas B. Pritchett]

Mike, I don't dispute the greater good for the public...."public 
interest, convenience and necessity" are the words I recall. My real 
objection is that attitude by some (and by no means all) public 
broadcasters that what they are doing is more noble, more righteous, 
more divine than what commercial broadcasters are doing. I've noted 
this attitude more with TV than I have with radio, but the principled 
arrogance comes through and is not of my liking.

A very good friend of mine operates a service business that he took 
over from his father and grandfather. At one time he had considered 
supporting a public TV station and inquired about underwriting 
announcements. Their "advertising and (in small print) underwriting 
manager" called back and made an appointment to gather info for a 
presentation. Well, no one showed up. A call to the station got him 
the run-a-round and finally when he appeared at the station and 
demanded to see a manager, he was told in no uncertain terms that his 
money was not welcome. You see, apparently there is no place for a 
sewer and drain cleaning company in the arena of public TV. According 
to the 'sales' manager, it would offend and turn off their high-class 
audience and his presence on the air would do harm since it would 
offend the other underwriters on the station. Apparently no one in 
their audience has ever had a clogged drain or backed up sewer.

My friend complained to the stations board of directors to no avail. 
So, now he gives his money to a local Christian non-com FM and they 
are delighted to have his support. Last year he gave close to $100K. 
But he's not good enough for public TV. High-minded, self righteous 
public broadcasters.....that's my beef.

-- 
Douglas B. Pritchett
Fort Wayne, IN
WBZQ1300 at verizon.net


Mike wrote:

>As with any broadcaster it is your obligation to operate in such a 
>way that is for the greater good of the public.  Sadly the FCC 
>removed this requirement years ago but as a public broadcaster we 
>still strive to meet that.