But if this parable has any meaning for us today, it is that we must be careful not to trade in our birthright for short-term gains. Public broadcasting has a precious birthright to serve the public with free, over the air educational, noncommercial, programming. But if you allow commercialism to permeate public broadcasting, the picture becomes fuzzy. Your mission is clouded. And your support in your community and in Washington wanes.
Public broadcasting is at a fork in the road.
It can elect to be a beacon of stimulating, thought-provoking, educational and entertaining programming for the whole family. Or it can try to imitate its commercial counterparts and lose its way. Just Remember . . . I'd like to close by celebrating the contributions of another noble lady, whose heart and soul were dedicated to public broadcasting and who left us far too young. Diane Blair, former chair of CPB, was deeply committed to your mission.