01/30/2014

Rubenstein Gives $1 Million to DC PBS Station WETA

Posted: Jan 29, 2014 2:43 PM EST

Updated: Jan 29, 2014 2:55 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) - Philanthropist David Rubenstein is giving $1 million to public broadcaster WETA, which operates public TV and radio stations in Washington and produces the flagship PBS NewsHour broadcast.

The station says the gift announced Tuesday will establish the David M. Rubenstein Fund at WETA to create and expand programming about American culture, history and public affairs.

In announcing the gift, Rubenstein says he believes in "the power of public media to be a force for education." He says he hopes the gift will inspire others to support public media.

Rubenstein is co-founder and co-CEO of The Carlyle Group, a global asset manager. He is also chairman of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and a Smithsonian Institution regent.

Arlington, Va.-based WETA operates the Washington area's PBS and classical music stations.

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