WGCU Local Productions
Should public media continue to get any funding from tax payers?
Special | 3m 30sVideo has Closed Captions
We are privileged to have Dr. Robert Hilliard...
We are privileged to have Dr. Robert Hilliard, one of the original participants of the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, living in Southwest Florida. Today he talks about his time with the FCC, his views on the Public Broadcasting Act, and continued relevance today. Bob is 100 years young, whose wisdom is beyond his years.
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WGCU Local Productions is a local public television program presented by WGCU-PBS
Show WGCU your support by becoming a member
WGCU Local Productions
Should public media continue to get any funding from tax payers?
Special | 3m 30sVideo has Closed Captions
We are privileged to have Dr. Robert Hilliard, one of the original participants of the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, living in Southwest Florida. Today he talks about his time with the FCC, his views on the Public Broadcasting Act, and continued relevance today. Bob is 100 years young, whose wisdom is beyond his years.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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We are honore to have Robert Hilliard with us.
A Southwest Florida resident and a key figure in the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967.
A World War II vetera and Purple Heart recipient, Bob played a crucial role in aiding Holocaust survivors.
Today, at 100 years young, he shares insights on his time with the FCC, the Public Broadcasting Act, and its lasting impact.
Public Broadcasting Act was the culmination of efforts by the National Association of Educational Broadcasters and other groups and organizations to set up a nonpartisan, objective approach to presenting cultural, educational, informational materials to the public.
And in 1967, that act was signed by President Lyndon Johnson.
And I had the privilege of being there when he signed the act.
And I received from Presiden Johnson, not only a handshake, but one of the pens that he used to sign the Public Broadcasting Act.
A country without a continuing free media is a country that is going to lose its democracy and its soul and public broadcasting is, in some sense, a savior.
You know, the whole basis of democracy is freedom of speech, press, assembly and religion.
It's our First Amendment.
And the media play a key part in the implementation of the First Amendment of our democracy.
If you look at what happens in many other countries where there is a revolution, what's the first thing that they take over?
Not the banks, not the educational institutions, not even the military areas.
They take over the media, the radio and television stations because radio and television are the most powerful items in the world today for affecting people's minds and emotions.
Since the passage of the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, there have been attempts by many administrations to reduce or totally eliminate funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and every time that has been tried, the congressional representatives representing their local area and their connections have refused to go along with the party's attempts to virtually eliminate public broadcasting and have re-funded every time this has been attempted.
Hopefully, this present Congress will do the same.
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WGCU Local Productions is a local public television program presented by WGCU-PBS
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