Staff Reports
In a move that probably sent some left-wingers into a tizzy, President Trump signed an executive order cutting federal funding to National Public Radio (NPR) and the beloved Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). Of course, the term “federal funding” is a nice way of saying our hard-earned tax dollars have been going to prop up these media dinosaurs. For decades, they assured us they were all about providing top-notch, non-commercial content. Yet, here we are, with our pockets lighter, funding shows that apparently couldn’t even keep their grip on “Sesame Street” before shipping it off to HBO. Yes, where everyone goes for *children’s programming*.
From the good ol’ days when PBS and NPR were founded under the so-called visionary 1967 Public Broadcasting Act, we’ve come a long way, baby. Back then, they arguably served a purpose, delivering media access to the hinterlands, where the big, scary outside world hadn’t yet been piped in via the magical internet. But today, even folks in the most remote corners of America can stream whatever their heart desires right into the palm of their hands. Still, the media moguls running these networks, whose gravy train was federal funds, aren’t exactly thrilled with the change. Cue the lawsuits.
But buckle up; the real show is the whining about how NPR is the model of integrity, purity, and balanced reporting. They read the Declaration of Independence every Fourth of July until some editor got the sniffles and plastered a trigger warning on it. Yep, there was some “concerning” language in there about Native Americans, and they felt the need to let folks know that, yes, back in 1776, things were a little different. Forget that this is one of our most historic documents; let’s slap an editor’s note on Thomas Jefferson’s work. Wouldn’t want anyone’s feelings to get hurt by a 247-year-old document.
The heads of PBS and NPR are predicting catastrophic consequences if their funding gets nuked. But take a look at reality: they have fundraisers out the wazoo, and Hollywood’s famous wealth and wisdom seem to pour forth to keep those brand-safe, education-packed programs running. So, will they go extinct? Doubtful. It’s more like the global warming scare tactics that tell us the world will end every few years.
And then there are the other shenanigans of mainstream outlets, like our dear friends over at CNN. With their knack for cozying up to dubious sources, they always offer a good chuckle. But, hey, why sweat the small stuff like cartel endorsements when you’re too busy wringing your hands over Trump’s policies or debating the semantics of illegal crossings? Seems like the real entertaining drama isn’t on PBS or NPR but live during their very own broadcasts. Thank goodness Americans have the internet for alternatives, or else they’d be tuning in to the remake of Sesame Street brought to you by CNN’s “superstar” journalists.
