Krauthammer to Nina Totenberg: Why did NPR fire Juan Williams but not you?

Hot Air ^ | 10/23/2010 | allahpundit

[Pharmboy]

I had not connected the two events, but you may very well be onto something. Good job...

[Forest Keeper]

Is that not an example of the GOVERNMENT violating FREE SPEECH of a citizen speaking on his own?

I think they used to get most of their funding from the federal government, but not any more. I think it would be tough to label them a government entity. I'd guess they are a not-for-profit corp. In any case, Juan probably had a morals clause in his contract with them that they are claiming he violated. He might have a case for wrongful termination, but I doubt he'll go for it. The new Fox contract probably made him a much richer man than he would have been. Tough to show damages there. :)

[okie01]

I think they used to get most of their funding from the federal government, but not any more. I think it would be tough to label them a government entity. I'd guess they are a not-for-profit corp.

NPR gets only 2% of their direct funding from the feds. The bulk of the rest comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting -- which is, you're correct, a not-for profit corporation.

But CPB gets about 80% of their financing from Congress -- i.e., us.

In other words, if you cease sending federal funds to both NPR and CPB, they're dead meat.

[Forest Keeper]

In other words, if you cease sending federal funds to both NPR and CPB, they're dead meat.

Yep, I don't think they'd last five minutes in the competitive market. We saw what happened to Airhead America.

Thanks for the extra info.