Poll Shows Voters Against Cutting Federal Support Of NPR

Weathering Controversy

A poll of Americans by POLL POSITION in the wake of the JUAN WILLIAMS controversy found that a majority want the government to continue funding the public radio network, but that opinions are split along party lines.

The poll, conducted OCTOBER 25th among 1,074 registered voters nationwide, showed 45% against cutting funding for NPR, with 39% in favor of pulling support for the network.  Democrats were 58% against cutting funding and 25% in favor, while Republicans went the other way, with 54% for and 28% against.  Independents were 49% against ending government support of NPR, with 38% for a cut.

Among voters 18-29, 62% opposed cuts in funding NPR, with 30% for the cuts.  30-44-year-olds were 42% against cuts and 39% for, and older groups were evenly split.  Men were in favor of federal funding of NPR, with 50% opposing cuts and 40% supporting cuts, while women broke the same way but with a narrower margin (40-37%).  All ethnic groups were at about the 50% mark in favor of continued federal funding of the network.

POLL POSITION is a survey company headed by EASON JORDAN, the former news chief at CNN, who left the network amid a controversy in 2005 over remarks he reportedly made at the WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM alleging that American troops in IRAQ were targeting journalists.

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