[beezdotcom]

FR is an interesting study. It claims to be a conservative website etc. and yet depends on a PBS fund raising model, without the government grants.

I think this is a good thread to have for open discussion. Folks who use the site for “free” really don’t have a dog in this discussion though. Paying members though do in my humble opinion.

Uhn-uh. As much as we would prefer only tax payers and/or land owners to have the vote, we are already in a system where any schmoe who thinks he has nothing to lose has to be convinced that he really DOES still have something to lose, in order to vote differently.

Given that you say we are already in the PBS model, I think the same rules need to apply here - you also have to convince the freeloaders that this or another model would work.

I think one important distinction, however, is that even if you don't pledge to NPR, you are still paying tax money for part of it (assuming you pay taxes). Since I don't pay for FR unless I donate directly, I don't think it's completely fair to draw the comparison.

[beezdotcom]

In fact, it MUCH more resembles a church.

[EBH]

You can debate that if you want, but from a private company customer service viewpoint, is the direction I think Jim needs to consider.

And I thought I had clarified I recognized the government grant issue with PBS as one of the differences.

The fact remains FR is a private company and it needs to make money right now. FReepathons and begging don’t seem to be enough.