Lovable Eccentric

Although the BBC is state funded, it still manages to operate ‘fairly’ independently from the government that supports it. We’re not the UK, and United States has always set itself apart from other countries by providing media commercially. If we did transition to a form of public service broadcasting, who would select the editors, and how? Historically, PSBs have tried to push information that they thought was best for the people (and in turn the government), even though the people might not be interested. The BBC, in the past, would intentionally randomize its programming so people would be forced to listen to educational programming while they waiting for the program they liked. That was nearly a century ago, but we are in a similar situation. People aren’t paying for investigative reporting, no matter how important it is to our democracy.

If we approached 100 people on the street, would they be willing to pay $1 for a printed copy of an investigative story regarding something going on in Wisconsin–even if a celebrity wasn’t involved? Would they pay $2? Would they be willing to be taxed to pay for this type of journalism on a regular basis? Maybe… ehh, probably not.

Of course the United States federal government is seemingly deceptive, over-inflated and increasingly powerful, but isn’t it easy to argue that more citizen participation in government would correct that? When was the last time you went to YOUR town hall meeting? How many times have you written one of your congressmen?

More often than not, I feel like most people are more concerned with their day-to-day lives and less interested in filling their role as a citizen.