Brian Lamb, the founder of America's foremost public affairs media network, C-SPAN, has issued a stern warning against the government funding of news outlets.
Lamb, who spearheaded the launch of C-SPAN 46 years ago, expressed his concerns during a recently released "Founders Day" special. He emphasized that he never contemplated seeking federal funding for the all-Congress cable network, cautioning that such support would inevitably lead to political control.
"I would have never been involved in it," Lamb stated emphatically. "I think its a very bad idea to have a government institution fund media in any way. Ive always felt that way all my life." His words underscore the potential dangers of intertwining government and media, a relationship that could compromise the independence and integrity of journalistic institutions.
According to The Washington Examiner, Susan Swain, the former Co-CEO who joined Lamb in an interview with C-SPAN CEO Sam Feist, echoed his sentiments. She highlighted the importance of public trust and the potential perception of the network as a "propaganda arm" of the government if it were to accept taxpayer support.
"The most important reason is public trust," Swain explained. "We never wanted the public to see this as a propaganda arm of the government. Its done by private industry, and people here who work for private industry, not for the government, making the editorial decisions. Thats important." She further noted the instability of federal funding, which is subject to the whims of politicians. "Were seeing great examples of what the government giveth, the government can taketh away," she added.
These comments come at a time when the Trump administration and its Department of Government Efficiency are aggressively slashing funding to public media outlets such as Voice of America, deeming them obsolete. Furthermore, conservative members of Congress are targeting taxpayer funding for National Public Radio and Public Broadcasting Service, viewing these outlets as extensions of the Democratic Party.
While neither Lamb nor Swain directly referenced these ongoing conflicts, their warning against accepting tax dollars was unequivocal. Lamb recalled the pressure C-SPAN faced at its inception, even without federal funding. "Members of Congress wanted to tell us what to do, what hearings to cover, and we were ready for that. But if youre funded by them, then they think they can tell you what to do," he said.
C-SPAN, which was established by cable TV even before CNN's inception, started without any of its own cameras. Today, it is a staple on cable and satellite, and has expanded to the internet and streaming services. Despite its growth, it continues to uphold its mission of providing balanced coverage without a political filter or bias.
"C-SPAN is viewed, really, as the most nonpartisan news and media outlet in America," said Feist, CNNs former Washington bureau chief. This statement underscores the network's commitment to unbiased reporting, a principle that Lamb and Swain believe could be jeopardized by government funding. Their warning serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining the independence of media outlets, a cornerstone of a free and democratic society.
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