[JPL] New music and audience surveys

[Bill Anschell]

I'd like to add one other point on the subject of programming new  
music versus old, and the related question of using audience surveys  
to shape a station's direction.

Isn't a public radio station - in order to get the various "perks" of  
nonprofit status (e.g., not paying taxes, having listener  
contributions and other donations qualify as tax-deductible, etc.) -  
required to define itself in large part as serving an educational  
function?  That is my understanding; correct me if I'm wrong.

Polling potential audiences to see what they'd like played is the  
exact opposite of educating them; instead it's following their tastes  
to pursue the largest possible numbers.  Kind of like a commercial  
station, but with the nonprofit advantages.  No surprise that people  
would like to hear music that's already familiar to them, but how is  
this consistent with a public radio station's charter?

I'm just asking...

--Bill Anschell