The Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 mandates that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting ensure that all programs (and program series) of a controversial nature must be made available "with strict adherence to objectivity and balance." In his 2005 Report of Review, CPB's Inspector General, pursuant to the Act, directed CPB to "establish formal policies and procedures for conducting regular reviews of national programming for objectivity and balance." To better address its obligations under the statute, CPB is requesting proposals on seven mutually exclusive research topics regarding objectivity and balance in public broadcasting.
Several research white papers from the first call for proposals are now available.