PBS and NPR have been assaulted by the US Government, the very institution that has financially nurtured these two organisations along with the public-at-large for decades.
Canadians Public Broadcasting is under assault as well, with the venomous Pierre Poilievre of The Conservative Party decrying the purpose and history of these great institutions such as TVO, CBC and many others throughout our provinces.
Conservatism is reaching out and trying to destroy what they see as progressive voices, be they on the streets of LA or the boardrooms of our precious public broadcasters.
Whether the public domain be on the air, television or your digital device the Right Wing wants your attention, and will do anything to crush criticism while even crushing your rights to free speech, freedom to gather or your freedom to express yourself respectfully.
The Republican Party and its equivalent in Canada (The Conservative Party of Canada) strive to disable any method of communicating your displeasure of the powers-to-be, be they America’s Trump Administration or the Canadian runners up, the Conservative Party in Canada.
Taking all funding from these important sources of journalism and public education by either cutting the flow of funds, or making it difficult to do their jobs, will make our societies less democratic, less equal and far less safe.
Some in the US Congress and White House have mischaracterised the vital work and role of public broadcasters like NPR and PBS, calling the Public airways un-American.
These agents of the Right Wing have characterised Public Broadcasting as propaganda machines for the Left Wing and Anti-American Lobbyist Groups.
Words such as communist and radical leftists are heard in the hallow hallways of both the US Capital as well as in Ottawa.
Both the Canadian and American administrations are attempting to end funding to several media accessible programs such as Weather and Environmental Watches on air and online. Considered vital but costly budgeting gone corporate.
Various University and Higher Educational Inspired Media programs centering upon vital social issues are also at risk of cancellation.
Funding for the military continues to grow, while socially and scientifically significant programs are set aside or minimised.
Fact: The first action of a coup established is to gain control of the media, and or suppress it outright. Trump’s Administration is acting like it carried out a coup last fall, and is establishing its place by creating boundaries in the sand as to who is a friend and a foe within the News Media Sector.
Public Media, reliant upon donations, is considered a foe to Conservatives, Corporations and the Capitalistic System in place. Only an open minded, objective media place can help maintain democracy in our lands.
Most media outlets are controlled by Corporate Elites with their own agendas.
Trumpian methods are being used to challenge these broadcasters’ very existence, using Presidential Executive Powers, IRS, FBI and other security methods to silence the public into obedient passiveness.
We are returning to the 1960’s age of revolution, fighting against fascists within our government and throughout the world.
“What is needed is the total and complete defunding and dismantling of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting,” Taylor Greene.
“I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if only we would listen,” George Washington Carver.
Steven Kaszab
Bradford, Ontario