Despite its auspicious and promising beginning, the Public Broadcasting Service largely has failed its congressional mandate. PBS was supposed to compensate for the inadequacies of advertiser-driven network programming by providing, in the words of its mandate, an “alternative” that expresses “diversity and excellence,” involves “creative risks,” and addresses “the needs of the unserved and underserved audiences.” Continue reading PBS SHUTS OUT INDEPENDENT PRODUCERS. by Jerold M. Starr. →