As of May 2, at least 135 such lawsuits have been filed. Continued advocacy These lawsuits seek to temporarily halt a host of executive orders rolled out by the Trump administration. Of all these orders, one especially controversial directive looms large. It aims to eliminate public funding for national broadcasting corporations such as NPR and PBS. A number of broad changes in federal policy have resulted in this decision. Consequently, there is tremendous fear about what it means for educational programming and local news coverage in cities and towns throughout the U.S.
As a result, the Trump administration’s executive orders have resulted in the firing of thousands of federal workers. Indeed, their efforts have led to sweeping cultural changes within the Department of Government Efficiency. Specifically, these orders have dramatically changed immigration policy and instituted tariffs, causing chaos across many industries. The executive order aimed at eliminating taxpayer dollars going to NPR and PBS would destroy these long-standing partnerships. These partnerships have been critical to producing high-quality, positive content aimed at children.
PBS has maintained a 30-year partnership with the Department of Education, which has been instrumental in developing and producing beloved children’s programming such as “Sesame Street” and “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Demonstration proposed funding cuts could be sunk ongoing projects currently in development. On top of that, it harms our youngest Americans’ access to high-quality educational materials. In a nation where half of the children are not enrolled in formal pre-K programs, this disruption poses a serious risk to early childhood education.
Moreover, the ramifications extend beyond children’s programming. Some 20 percent of Americans do not have access to an alternative local news provider, putting hundreds of communities at risk of becoming news deserts. This loss of local journalism is a very serious issue. Recent cuts in federal funding will serve only to increase the burden on journalists committed to telling the stories of their neighborhoods.
“Twenty percent of Americans don’t have access to another local source of news. The impact of this could really be devastating, particularly in rural communities.” – Maher
NPR and PBS joint CEOs are throwing an executive order trial balloon. They understand that the stakes couldn’t be higher—for their organizations, for the communities they represent.
“We’re looking at whatever options are available to us,” – Maher
The significance of this funding decision reaches far past fiscal concerns. Even more troubling, it presents an existential threat to the core mission of these para- and non-profit organizations.
“To them, it’s existential, and that’s what’s at risk if this funding goes away,” – Kerger
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