Trump’s Cuts to PBS Target the Values that Made Me Who I Am
In a move that has sparked widespread criticism, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at cutting funding for Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and National Public Radio (NPR). The decision has been met with dismay from many who have benefited from the educational and informative content provided by these organisations.
As someone who grew up watching PBS programmes in the 1980s, I can attest to the positive impact it had on my life. I was a PBS kid, and many years later, when I had kids, they were PBS kids too. Programmes such as Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, The Electric Company, and Sesame Street, which I watched on Channel 48, taught me valuable lessons about empathy, different cultures, and the world beyond my neighbourhood in Cincinnati. These programmes expanded my mind and shaped me into the person I am today.
According to a report, President Trump signed the executive order to stop directly funding PBS and NPR. This decision has been seen as a blow to the values that PBS represents, which include promoting empathy, understanding, and enlightenment. As someone who has benefited from PBS, I strongly believe that public television is a vital medium that deserves federal funding. The market would never support it through advertising, and it is precisely this kind of programming that provides a unique perspective on the world.
The values that PBS promotes are exactly the things that President Trump and his enablers seem to dismiss as "woke." They deride enlightenment because they are incapable of seeing the light. As the author of the original article, Sean Suder, notes, "They dismiss these things as ‘woke.’ They deride enlightenment because they are incapable of seeing the light." This kind of rhetoric is concerning, as it suggests a move towards a more insular and less enlightened society.
In an interview with Cincinnati.com, Suder expressed his concerns about the impact of Trump’s cuts on PBS funding. "I am a better human because of public television − a medium that the market would never support through advertising and that deserves federal funding," he said. "The things PBS taught me are exactly the things that President Donald Trump and his enablers don’t want − an enlightened electorate that values and has empathy towards others, and that has an expansive view of the world."
The impact of Trump’s cuts to PBS funding will be far-reaching, and it is essential to consider the implications of this decision. As Suder notes, "Welcome to the new Dark Ages." This phrase suggests a move towards a more ignorant and less enlightened society, where access to quality educational programming is limited.
In conclusion, Trump’s cuts to PBS funding are a concerning move that targets the values of empathy, understanding, and enlightenment that PBS represents. As Suder so eloquently puts it, "I am a better human because of public television." It is essential that we consider the implications of this decision and ensure that public television continues to thrive.
This article is based on a report from Cincinnati.com, which can be found at https://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/letters/2025/05/05/trump-pbs-funding-cut-empathy-education/83453471007/.
The article was written by Sean Suder, a resident of Hyde Park, Cincinnati, and was published on May 5, 2025, at 16:15:37 +0000 UTC.
Cincinnati.com has provided valuable insights into the impact of Trump’s cuts on PBS funding, and their reporting has shed light on the concerns of many who value public television.
For more information on this topic, readers can visit https://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/letters/2025/05/05/trump-pbs-funding-cut-empathy-education/83453471007/.
The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) logo and the U.S. flag are seen in this illustration taken April 23, 2025. (Dado Ruvic, REUTERS)
President Donald Trump signs order to cut PBS and NPR funding. (Dado Ruvic, REUTERS)
In related news, Trump signs executive order that aims to cut funding for PBS and NPR.
Readers can find more information on this topic by visiting Cincinnati.com.
(c) Cincinnati.com. All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission.
