Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Overview
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is an American non-profit corporation that was created by an act of the United States Congress in 1967 to promote and help support public broadcasting. The CPB is a private entity that is fully funded by the federal government, which provides over 90% of its funding. The corporation's mission is to ensure universal access to non-commercial, high-quality content and telecommunications services. It does so by distributing more than 70% of its funding to more than 1,500 locally owned public radio and television stations.
History
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting was created on November 7, 1967, when U.S. president Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967. The new organization initially collaborated with the pre-existing National Educational Television (NET), but in 1970, the CPB formed the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and, in 1977, the National Public Radio (NPR).
Funding
The CPB's primary source of funding is an annual appropriation from Congress. Besides federal funding, the CPB also receives a small amount of revenue from donations and contributions from both private entities and local and state governments. The CPB uses these funds to support operations and to provide grants to local public broadcasting stations, producers of content, and community service.
Role and functions
The CPB plays a crucial role in supporting public broadcasting services in the U.S. by funding over 1,500 locally owned and operated public television and radio stations. The CPB is also responsible for protecting public broadcasting from political interference and ensuring that all Americans have access to quality public broadcasting content.
Criticisms and controversies
Over the years, the CPB has faced various criticisms and controversies, primarily concerning issues of political bias, funding, and its role in public broadcasting. Despite these challenges, the CPB continues to play a vital role in maintaining and improving the quality of public broadcasting in the United States.