A Right to Media? Lorie M. Graham - Columbia Law School

2010] A RIGHT TO MEDIA? 477
language. 179 Thus, Native American media is seen by the federal
government as an important mechanism for the promotion of
indigenous language and culture. 180
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a private,
non-profit corporation created by the federal government, is also an
important source of grant money and support for Native American
media. 181 The CPB was created in 1967 with the passage of the Public
Broadcasting Act, which articulates the need for diverse
programming that serves the public interest and recognizes the role
of the federal government in encouraging a diverse media. 182
In the 1967 Act, the federal government recognized the value
of media as a tool for social improvement through education, the
promotion of culture, and the expression of diversity. 183 The Act
explicitly references the importance of addressing the media needs of
historically underserved segments of the American population. While
the CPB was not specifically created to establish Native American
media, many Native American radio and television programs receive
funding from the CPB. For instance, in 2004, the CPB granted $1.5
million to establish the Center for Native American Radio, a
centralized service bureau that provides technical, fundraising, and
programmatic support to nearly thirty public radio stations serving
Native American listeners. 184 Additionally, the CPB provides funds
for Native Public Media. 185
Another relevant agency that deals with media related issues
in the United States is the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC). The FCC recognizes that, as an arm of the federal
government, it has a federal trust relationship with Native American
179. 42 U.S.C. § 2991b-3(b)(4).
180. 42 U.S.C. § 2991b-3(a)–(b).
181. Requests for grant money and support are submitted to the Labor,
Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee of
the House Appropriations Committee as well as the Labor, Health and Human
Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the Senate
Appropriations Committee. See Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Financials,
http://www.cpb.org/aboutcpb/financials (discussing the process of appropriations
under the Public Broadcasting Act).
182. Corporation for Public Broadcasting Act, 47 U.S.C. § 396(a) (2004).
183. Id.
184. Press Release, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, CPB Awards $1.5
Million to Help Establish Center for Native American Radio, Sept. 23, 2004,
http://www.cpb.org/pressroom/release.php?prn=378.
185. Corporation for Public Broadcasting, National Minority Consortia,
http://www.cpb.org/aboutpb/consortia.html (last visited Feb. 5, 2010).