# Am I Stealing? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 7, 2004, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-stealing/273445 "2004-11-07T02:39:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-stealing/273445/21 "2004-11-07T17:33:29Z")
> [@chrisk](#): > > On the other hand, I think a radio station that wanted to be straightforward about it could set up an implicit contract with listeners that I would consider to be ethically binding. One of the requirements would be announcing regularly the terms of listenership, all the time and not just at annual pledge drives, so that if someone is listening regularly they would not long remain unaware of the situation. Also several details would need to be nailed down - how long a ‘trial period’ a new listener is entitled to to decide if he or she likes the station, what a reasonable donation is and how frequently it should be sent in. (Exemptions for those with insufficient means is a tricky bit.) Of course, even in that case it wouldn’t be stealing if you kept listening. Anyone is free to listen to broadcasts over the public airwaves. ---
**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-stealing/273445/22 "2004-11-07T17:46:51Z")
> [@vix](#): > > Where do you work, **fishbicycle**? WFSU Tallahassee, WFSW Panama City, WFSQ Tallahassee, WFSL Thomasville, GA. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-stealing/273445/23 "2004-11-07T21:54:01Z")
**Khadaji** - I think what **fishbicycle** is trying to say (correct me if I’m wrong, FB) is the NPR is a radio program, not a radio station. The local public radio stations buy the programming, including NPR. NPR isn’t hurting for money, but the local public radio stations are dependant on donations to buy programming like NPR. **fishbicycle** - My local public radio station actually_is_ NPR, which stands for Nashville Public Radio. StG ---
**Author:** ![Zjestika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/8edcca/32.png) [@Zjestika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zjestika)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-stealing/273445/24 "2004-11-07T22:34:53Z")
For the record, I know it’s the local stations and personalities that are doing the pledge drive, or at least that they’re the aggressive ones. I could see thinking that it’s NPR itself that does the drives, since people from All Things Considered and Morning Edition, etc., seem to be participating by doing quick sound bites. Those never bother me, though, because the manner is so much more relaxed. ZJ ---
**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-stealing/273445/25 "2004-11-07T23:03:55Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > **Khadaji** - I think what **fishbicycle** is trying to say (correct me if I’m wrong, FB) is the NPR is a radio program, not a radio station. The local public radio stations buy the programming, including NPR. That’s almost entirely correct, although National Public Radio is a network. In other words, they are the content provider. They have a HQ in Washington where they make radio programs all day; plus they have affiliates who create programs of such a high standard that NPR will pick them up as part of the daily schedule. Any local station anywhere is able to buy whatever programs from NPR or affiliates that they can afford, based upon how much the listeners care to donate. Some can only afford a few NPR shows. They try to at least get Morning Edition and All Things Considered (a package, which costs a couple hundred grand) and the rest is filled with music and other local fare. Some can’t afford the big ticket items like Car Talk or Fresh Air or Diane Rehm or Talk Of The Nation, and have to get less expensive programs from other public radio networks, which are of a somewhat lower standard of quality. They may not have very many local underwriters. Thus, they may not be able to afford to be as interesting; people are less likely to afford such a station their loyalty and contributions, and they always fall short, which means they must fill their air with a local volunteer playing CDs. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-stealing/273445/26 "2004-11-08T03:46:22Z")
> [@Abbie Carmichael](#): > > No, it’s not stealing, and I’ve gotta say that I’m not surprised NPR is saying something ridiculous like that. Well, you should be-since it’s not NPR saying that. It’s the local public radio affiliate, **Abbie**. Two different entities. :rolleyes: If I could swing it, I’d definitly donate to WQED here in Pittsburgh, because it’s absolutely fan-freaking-tastic. In fact, for a specific amount, you become a member-it’s expensive, but you get a lot of cool freebies, subscriptions and the likes. Doesn’t your station offer gifts? CDs, tickets to the local symphony or plays, etc? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-stealing/273445.md?page=1)