Support Public Media, seriously.
Posted in Work » Day Job on December 10, 2008 at 4:01 PM
Support NPR: http://www.npr.org/stations/donate/index.php?ps=st3
Today it was announced that NPR will be laying off a big chunk of it's work force. Besides this being another announcement in a long line of layoff announcements, my day job is Senior Designer for PBS KIDS and Parents Interactive, so obviously this one hits really close to home for me.
When I say the work people do in Public Media is important to our society as a whole, it's not hyperbole. Programs like Day to Day or the Bryant Park Project and others speak to audiences ignored or left out of most programming. Here at PBS things are being refocused to hit those same audiences (the Speak Out project I worked on was part of that, for example).
The thing is, we can't do it alone. We're public media. Not only do we answer to you, we also need your support. I know pledge time sucks (who needs more Doo Wop right?) but the reason you see that is because various segments of our audiences love that stuff and will proudly give money to support those avenues.
For a lot of us though, we want innovation, we want new, we want stuff that speaks to us and really stands out. That means us few in Public Media need money and there are simple ways to help us out. Like hoping online and sending 5 bucks via the Internet Tubes.
Support Links:
NPR: http://www.npr.org/stations/donate/index.php?ps=st3
PBS: http://www.pbs.org/support (This PBS support page can be a bit confusing, but take the time please).
Shows like Heat, Super Why, Curious George, This American Life... we spend as much on those shows' entire production process as some places do on one advertising campaign for one show. Do we get federal funding? Yes. But it is a FRACTION of our costs. We don't get revenue from all those stuffed animals you see, or those DVDs you see on the shelf at Best Buy.
We aren't on the Hill asking for a bailout package. We're doing more with less and tightening up everywhere. But we aren't cutting corners or doing less, and still bring you top quality work. We only accept perfection.
So buy two less beers this week, or two less coffees, and take that 10 dollars and give five to NPR and five to PBS. Or 10 to NPR. Or 10 to PBS.
But don't let us go. Don't let Public Media get left behind in the dust.
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