Public Broadcasting Act

Public Broadcasting Act
source
Short title	Public Broadcasting Act
Long title	An Act to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for the establishment of a corporation for Public Broadcasting Service and for other purposes
Enacted by	United States Congress
Date enacted	November 7, 1967
Signed by	Lyndon B. Johnson
Date signed	November 7, 1967

Public Broadcasting Act. The Public Broadcasting Act was signed into law by Lyndon B. Johnson on November 7, 1967, with the goal of establishing a Corporation for Public Broadcasting to oversee the development of National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service. This legislation was a significant milestone in the history of American broadcasting, as it provided a framework for the creation of a non-commercial, FCC-regulated broadcasting system. The Act was influenced by the work of Carnegie Commission on Educational Television, which was established by Elihu Root and Andrew Carnegie to explore the potential of educational television.

Introduction

The Public Broadcasting Act was introduced in the United States Senate by Robert F. Kennedy and Jacob Javits, with the support of Hubert Humphrey and Nelson Rockefeller. The Act was designed to promote the development of public television and public radio in the United States, with a focus on educational programming, cultural programming, and public affairs programming. The legislation was influenced by the work of BBC and CBC, which had established successful models for public broadcasting in the United Kingdom and Canada. The Act also drew on the expertise of Newton Minow, who had served as the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission under John F. Kennedy.

History

The Public Broadcasting Act was the result of a long process of debate and negotiation, involving key figures such as John W. Gardner, Wilbur Schramm, and James Killian. The Act was influenced by the Communications Act of 1934, which had established the Federal Communications Commission and set the framework for the regulation of radio broadcasting and television broadcasting in the United States. The legislation was also shaped by the Federal Radio Act of 1927, which had established the Federal Radio Commission and paved the way for the development of commercial radio. The Public Broadcasting Act built on the work of earlier legislation, such as the Educational Television Facilities Act of 1962, which had provided funding for the development of educational television stations.

Provisions

The Public Broadcasting Act established the Corporation for Public Broadcasting as a private, non-profit corporation, with a mandate to promote the development of public television and public radio in the United States. The Act provided funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting through a combination of federal appropriations and private donations, with the support of Ford Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, and Rockefeller Foundation. The legislation also established the Public Broadcasting Service as a separate entity, with a focus on the development of public television programming, including Sesame Street, Masterpiece Theatre, and Frontline. The Act also provided for the establishment of National Public Radio, with a focus on public radio programming, including All Things Considered and Morning Edition.

Impact

The Public Broadcasting Act had a significant impact on the development of public broadcasting in the United States, with the establishment of a non-commercial, FCC-regulated broadcasting system. The Act paved the way for the development of public television and public radio stations, including WNET, WGBH, and KPBS. The legislation also influenced the development of public broadcasting systems in other countries, including Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia. The Act was praised by figures such as Lady Bird Johnson, Walter Cronkite, and Edward R. Murrow, who saw it as a major step forward for journalism and public affairs programming.

Amendments

The Public Broadcasting Act has been amended several times since its passage, with significant changes made in the 1970s and 1980s. The Public Broadcasting Act Amendments of 1978 provided additional funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and established the Public Broadcasting Service as a separate entity. The Public Broadcasting Act Amendments of 1981 made further changes to the funding structure of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and established the National Endowment for the Arts as a separate agency. The legislation has also been influenced by the work of National Association of Broadcasters, National Cable & Telecommunications Association, and Motion Picture Association of America.

Criticisms

The Public Broadcasting Act has been subject to criticism and controversy over the years, with some arguing that the legislation has failed to achieve its goals of promoting public broadcasting and educational programming. Critics such as Newt Gingrich and Rupert Murdoch have argued that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is too dependent on federal funding and that the Public Broadcasting Service is too focused on liberal programming. Others, such as Bill Moyers and Tavis Smiley, have argued that the legislation has been successful in promoting public broadcasting and public affairs programming, but that it needs to be updated to reflect changing circumstances in the media landscape. The Act has also been influenced by the work of Federal Trade Commission, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and United States Department of Commerce. Category:United States federal broadcasting legislation