Tampabay.com
NOVEMBER 23, 2009

Sen. Feingold goes after 'wasteful' TV Marti

U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wisc., is taking aim at Radio and TV Martí, calling it a $300 million "relic of the Cold War ... that virtually no one tunes in to."

"Government studies show that Radio and TV Martí are riddled with problems, and fall short of journalistic standards," Feingold said in a news release today launching an effort he calls Spotlight on Spending. "As we progress toward a more modern and constructive relationship with Cuba, Radio and TV Martí no longer have any real diplomatic or fiscal purpose. I plan to bring up this issue when the Senate takes up President Obama’s recently announced nominees to the Broadcasting Board of Governors."

That kind of talk won't be well received in South Florida, and Florida Sen. George LeMieux recently put a hold on a bill that would cut funding for the government-financed stations.

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