Funding for Public Broadcasting

I read with great interest an article about funding for Public Broadcasting (PBS).

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110301005747/en/National-Survey-Finds-69-Percent-Voters-Oppose

There are a couple interesting things about this survey. First of all the survey was paid for by PBS and done by two different independent companies, Hart Research (a Democratic company) and American Viewpoint (a Republican company). Second, I think it is important to note that these studies were done with political viewpoints to illustrate that this is a bipartisan study. While the percentages of Democratic, Republican and Independent viewpoints do vary slightly, they all point to the same viewpoint: PBS is considered an important asset and funding for PBS should be continued without a reduction in funds. The focus on the political parties seems to address the anticipated arguments that may arise in Congress regarding funding for PBS. By showing that all political parties across the board hold a majority view that funding for PBS should continue they circumvent arguments that this survey has any political leanings that could prevent passage of a bill to continue PBS funding at the same rate.

Another interesting point is that this survey was paid for by PBS. Arts organizations are an enigma to the general population. While the average citizen is aware of them, they don't really understand how they operate and how their services are assessed both quantitatively and qualitatively. In order for arts organizations to bring to light the affect they have in our communities beyond a dollars and cents assessment, I believe they will find more and more that they will need to fund their own independent studies to open the eyes of the public to the more intangible ways they bring value to the world at large.