Opinion: Public broadcasting ensures access for all

Your editorial, “It’s time to rethink funds for public broadcasting,” on Nov. 5, ignited passionate dialogue among businesses, educators and individual donors who support South Dakota Public Broadcasting (SDPB).

As president of the Friends of SDPB board of directors, please let me thank you for jump-starting conversations across our state — conversations that renew the appreciation of what SDPB delivers when others cannot or will not. It’s a rare opportunity to get to tell the SDPB story on such a stage.

The idea that SDPB competes with private and corporate radio and television companies is a misconception. In fact, SDPB was established with gifts of equipment from KELO-TV and KSOO Radio and today a large cable company is a major underwriter of high school championship programming on SDPB.

Cultural pride is rich and deep in South Dakota. SDPB’s delivery of local music, fine arts programming, educational tools sent directly into classrooms, and live coverage of state government without commercial noise or bias is not available anywhere else.

As a newspaper that supports open government, I know you appreciate and benefit from the instant access SDPB delivers on-air and online. In fact, every time a microphone is turned on at the Capitol, SDPB is there.

I agree that “a state-run grocery store that would compete in Mitchell with local groceries would be outrageous.” However, government-funded farm and food programs help thousands of South Dakotans receive free access to nutrition provided by local stores. Public broadcasting across the nation is governmentfunded at some level to ensure every citizen has free access to arts and public affairs — nutrition for quality of life.

Everyone’s budget belt is tight and about to get tighter. The SDPB staff has not had raises for two years. SDPB’s executive team has prepared a budget proposal with deep cuts. The Friends board of directors has been challenged to increase private support with the long-range goal of less dependency on government funding.

If SDPB were to disappear, school budgets would have to increase for materials and technology; voters would have to base their choices strictly on paid political advertising; performances by student musicians and athletes would be limited to the local gym; and the cultural landscape of our state would resemble the Dust Bowl of the 1930s.

Thank you! Please say hello to Seth Tupper, your editor and regular contributor and commentator on the “Political Junkies” segment of “Dakota Midday” on SDPB.

Paul McDonald, of Aberdeen, is president of the Friends of South Dakota Public Broadcasting board of directors.

In Other Words features opinions from local and other contributors who have areas of special interest or expertise. Material shouldn’t exceed 600 words and can be sent, along with a photo, to: Editor, The Daily Republic, 120 S. Lawler, Mitchell, S.D., 57301. The Daily Republic cannot guarantee all submitted material will be used.

Tags: paul mcdonald, opinion