The House of Representatives has voted to restore a portion of deep cuts proposed for public radio and television.

This "update" appears on the WUNC home page. It is one thing for WUNC to inform its listeners and others who come to the website about what is happening on an issue like this. But thanking WUNC supporters "who helped make this change" strikes me as confusing providing information with lobbying. The latter is not the role permitted for WUNC, like it or not.

"The House Votes to Restore Funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
(Updated June 24,2005)

The House of Representatives has voted to restore a portion of deep cuts proposed for public radio and television.

We want to thank all of North Carolina Public Radio � WUNC�s supporters who helped make this change. Members of Congress heard from thousands of listeners and viewers who wrote or called to express their support.

While this is encouraging news, the restoration of funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting addresses only part of the overall funding for public radio and TV targeted for cuts in the fiscal year that begins in October. Programs that pay for capital improvements, and money that supports children's television production, are still targeted for elimination.

Listeners and viewers still need to be heard on whether they want these cuts to stand or see full funding for stations and national programs maintained.

The Senate subcommittee that considers appropriations for public broadcasting will be facing pressure to balance the funds available with program needs. That subcommittee, chaired by Arlen Specter (R-PA), is scheduled to meet July 12 to make funding recommendations. The full Senate Appropriations Committee is likely to act July 14. "