New York Times Attack on PBS--Why?

This morning I sent this letter to the Times:


In "Is PBS Really Necessary, it's nice that Charles McGrath is flacking for public radio, but why does he have to tear down PBS while he's doing it? Mr. McGrath has been hanging out with the elite for too long. Perhaps he's forgotten that PBS is free; all those cable shows cost extra, and surprise! some people can't afford them. Yes, despite its unlikelihood, let's do campaign for more money for public television, more "hand-wringing" (as Mr. McGrath characterizes the one status quo-questioning show on TV--"Now") if possible. I hate to think that this attack is based on a desire to curry favor with various corporate entities. But otherwise I just don't get it.