NPR and the question of funding

I'm currently listening to the Dianne Rehm show and they are talking about the recent resigning of the NPR CEO in the aftermath of comments which were captured on video by an NPR executive that seemed to belittle conservatives and the tea party movement.  The root issue being discussed, however, is whether NPR should receive government funding.  So what is the rule of the government?  I find it interesting that an argument for government funding is some rural stations could not exist without it.  Isn't what they are saying is that some stations are bleeding money?  Would you open a business that you knew couldn't be self sustaining?  Does this mean that NPR is a right that all should have access to?