People started to call us before we had done anything, because of what was in the news, the threats in the media about zero funding. WYES General Manager Randall Feldman said there was no video crawl, but he did air a series of six spots that said the station might cancel some programs due to federal funding cuts. Our obligation as a public television station is to inform. WYES eventually asked viewers to call the station and vote on federal support for public broadcasting. The survey showed 67 percent in favor of continued funding, he said.
Constituents always can make a difference.
People for the American Way got into the fight in a big way, with a massive mailing that garnered 10,000 postcards from members who support public broadcasting. It packaged and delivered the cards to each office in House last week. It is planning a second mailing, with another postcard cut-out, to 50,000 supporters. Bond and others say they see House Speaker Newt Gingrich's apparent softening of his position on zeroing out CPB as a positive sign. Pubcasters say the law clearly states they are allowed to lobby as long as they don't use federal funds to do it.