PRIVATE SUPPORT AMPLE FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING

Public radio and public television -- both partially funded by tax dollars -- have graced the broadcast landscape with science and the arts for more than a quarter of a century. Both the radio and TV branches of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting continue to provide quality entertainment ranging from the Masterpiece Theatre series to concerts to an unparalled in-depth look at the personal side of the Civil War. An entire generation of Americans shares the culture of Big Bird and other characters on "Sesame Street."

Now Congress, looking for ways to cut spending, is considering the possibility of ending federal funding of the CPB, which it created in 1967. Many avid viewers and listeners -- and supporters -- who have made public TV and radio a part of their lives are worried that Congress is driving a stake through the heart of commercial-free, high-quality television and radio. Nothing could be further from the truth.

In the campaign sloganism that has become the coin of debate in America, it is too easy to sound the death knell of public broadcasting in the current discussion over tax funding. But the facts are these:

-- The Public Broadcasting System, which is the main program producer and distributor for public TV, gets approximately 14 percent of its $160 million annual budget from the federal government.

-- On the local level, KRCU, the public radio station at Southeast Missouri State University, receives about $12,000 of its approximate $180,000 budget from the CBP. (It must be noted that KRCU also receives the bulk of its annual funding -- about $140,000 -- from the university. The radio station is a integral part of Southeast's educational facilities.)

-- Over the years, public broadcasting has turned to its loyal supporters, both corporations and individuals, for financial backing.

-- Nationwide, more than 70 public television stations are selling commercial advertising.

-- Products related to public broadcasting, most signficantly those from the "Sesame Street" parent, Children's Television Workshop, produce annual revenue of more than $100 million.

When all of the sources of revenue for public broadcasting are examined, the bulk comes from sources other than tax dollars. To lose federal funding could mean a scramble to develop alternative sources of funding, but it is apparent that public broadcasting would continue to provide programming for loyal viewers and listeners.

However, there is a more philosophical argument to be considered. Many supporters of public television suggest there is a valid need for government to support public broadcasting to ensure its survival. This same argument spreads over other agencies as well, including the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. What has raised a red flag, at least in the minds of many members of Congress as well as longtime consumers of public broadcasting, is the questionable content of some of the programming: news and commentary with a decidedly liberal bent. Private broadcasters are free to espouse their views as long as commercial advertiser continue their support. Public broadcasting, however, has an obligation to all Americans, not just those of a particular political or moral persuasion.

Ending government funding of public broadcasting deserves serious consideration, not because it will balance the federal budget, but because it has matured and developed the support from donors and other sources of revenue to survive and thrive into the 21st century.