PBS and NPR are cratering, and unless a new model of funding emerges, public broadcasting as we know it will die. No more Barney. No more American Experience. No more sensible, well-reasoned, soft-spoken discussions headed by Jim Lehrer. The regional and local flavor that member stations represent more so than local broadcast affiliates of the private networks will evaporate. Reality television and its spawn will not. The FCC can prevent that from happening by negotiating a better deal for the public with the global media giants.”