Excellent News Source

Upon hearing that the elimination of the Corp. for Public Broadcasting is on the agenda of the newly elected Congress, I was infuriated. Though I am extremely conservative and usually agree wholeheartedly with the Republicans, I think they have taken deficit reduction a bit too far.

One of my favorite stations is (Santa Monica-based National Public Radio affiliate) KCRW-FM (89.9). It has offered good, in-depth news with no bias for years. The reason for the lack of opinion in the news is that it has no commercials and is financed only by fund-raisers and donations. Thus, the station feels no obligation to twist or lean in any direction. Apart from being nationally renowned for its ability to cover hard news, there are segments in which authors read their new novels, movies and books are reviewed, people are interviewed, and other soft news is broadcast.

There are only two arguments to keeping NPR off the air. One is: National Public Radio is funded by the government, giving it a reputation as a liberal network. The other: If NPR is so widely listened to and approved of, then why do we need the government to fund it? It should be able to survive on its own.

Though both those arguments are good and rational, cutting government support could utterly destroy it. Cutting funding to this acclaimed network is just too big of a gamble and could result in the loss of a fantastic source of news.

JAMES STAUFFER

Corona del Mar