Public Broadcasting Is Under Attack

This morning I received emails from both MoveOn and People for the American Way warning of a move by GOP lawmakers in the House to kill funding for public broadcasting:

A House panel has voted to eliminate all public funding for NPR and PBS, starting with "Sesame Street," "Reading Rainbow," and other commercial-free children's shows. If approved, this would be the most severe cut in the history of public broadcasting, threatening to pull the plug on Big Bird, Cookie Monster and Oscar the Grouch.

Sign the petition telling Congress to save NPR and PBS!

Many GOP lawmakers are eager to take over or get rid of all public broadcasting. They see PBS, CPB, and NPR as a threat to conservative dominance of the news media. Getting rid of public broadcasting would be a major victory for them and a major defeat for fairness, truth, and - children.



Of course, the Republicans say something different:

The subcommittee's chairman, Republican Rep. Ralph Regula of Ohio, said the cuts have nothing to do with widely publicized conservative dissatisfaction with perceived liberal bias in public radio or TV programs. Rather, he said, cuts are needed to balance the federal budget.

That's B.S. They know it, and we know it. It's patently false. Rep. Regula is a bald faced liar. If we need to make budget cuts, then cut some of the corporate tax exemptions or roll back the amount of money we're dumping into Iraq.

Make your voice heard. Speak out against cuts in public broadcasting.